Greek Tsifteteli for the stage @ CID-UNESCO World Conference on Dance Research

"On the Winds Of The Aegean" is an improvised dance performance presented at the CID-UNESCO World Congress on Dance Research held in Athens Greece at the famous amphitheatre Dora Stratou Dance Theatre. The piece was created in order to express and share various elements in the evolution of Greek Tsifteteli (the Greek style of Bellydance) within the past century or so. The Greek branch of the Oriental Dance tree is often overlooked and under-promoted in the wide spread global community of dancers invested in Raqs Sharki, who often call the dance "Arabic" or "Middle Eastern" dance, or, only source it back to Egyptian folk and popular theatrical styles. The Greek roots and influence in the dance run deep and continue to this day...intersecting with many countries, cultures and languages in the Mediterranean, Balkans, North Africa and the Levent. This performance aims to acknowledge this presence and contribution to the art. Athena Najat has been a contributing member of CID-UNESCO since 2002 and has presented academic work as well as artistic performances and educational classes to the congresses over the years. She is happy to be invited back to the CID stage.