14 - 16 NOVEMBER 2025 | SHOONYA DANCE CENTRE
in collaboration with Lenka Badriyah
LEYLET RAQS
Welcome to Leylet Raqs Festival!
Leylet Raqs is about coming together, celebrating dance, and deepening our artistry. Each day begins in community with a group warm-up, awakening body and mind side by side. Instead of contests, we offer a Feedback Show, where performers receive one-on-one feedback from our teachers and warm words from the audience.
Throughout the weekend, we’ll connect not only through workshops and lectures, but also by sharing joy at the Opening Party and being inspired at the Gala Show, where love and culture meet in unforgettable performances.
Our teachers bring their unique artistry and perspectives: Mohanned guides us into the richness of traditional Iraqi dances, Mercedes leads us toward soulful connection in our performances, Lurdiana brings both Cairo’s shaabi energy and the elegance of classical Raqs Sharqi, Hendrik helps us explore emotions and creativity beyond the box, and with Osama and Jamal we witness the magic of live music.
We are especially proud to host a world-unique workshop: dancing to live music by Osama and Jamal with Mercedes and Lurdiana guiding together — while one teaches, the other moves among participants, offering direct personal feedback.
Finally, we close the festival the way we began: in a circle together, celebrating the bonds we’ve built and the inspiration we’ll carry forward.
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All workshops, lectures, and circles
Early Bird Price: €340 (first 30 spots or until September 15)
Standard Price: €390 thereafter.
- Register separately for the feedback show
- Buy Galashow tickets separately -
€130 / €115 for Shoonya Members
All Friday workshops included
- Register separately for the feedback show
- Buy Galashow tickets separately -
€180 / €160 for Shoonya Members
All Saturday workshops included
- Register separately for the feedback show
- Buy Galashow tickets separately -
€190/ €170 for Shoonya Members
All Sunday workshops
- Register separately for the feedback show
- Buy Galashow tickets separately
FRIDAY
09:00 - Registration Opens
09:30-10:15 Opening Circle
Begin the festival with Badriyah as she guides you through a gentle warm‑up, helping you awaken body and mind, connect with one another, and set your intentions for the weekend ahead.
10:15 - 12:15 Mercedes Nieto - Five Elements
Mercedes’s signature technique essentials for an organically expressive style, featuring refined techniques and short, flowing combinations.
12:15 - 13:00 Lunch Break
You can purchase some small home-made vegetarian food at the school’s bar
13:00 - 14:30 Hendrik Lebon - Expressing Emotions
Explore how to express emotions authentically in your dance through guided exercises that draw on both theatre and dance traditions. You’ll learn to connect movement and feeling, deepening your storytelling and stage presence.
15:00 - 16:30 Lurdiana - Cairo Shaabi
Lurdiana is bringing shaabi vibes from Cairo! She will guide you through the authentic feel of shaabi dance, while also explaining the meaning of common gestures and showing how to respond to the lyrics. Learn not just the moves, but the cultural expressions that bring shaabi to life.
18:00 - 19:00 Feedback show
19:30 - 22:00 Opening party
SATURDAY
08:40 - 09:00 Group Warm up
09:00 - 10:30 Mohanned Hawaz - Al-Khashaba Dance
Al‑Khashaba is a traditional song and dance style from Al‑Basra in southern Iraq, featuring percussion with the kasoor at its core and melodic oud. Once danced only by men, it is now embraced by women as well. In this workshop, you’ll explore its rhythms, signature steps, and cultural roots.
10:45 - 12:45 Mercedes - Soulful Connections
A complex guide to soulful performances: creating connection between dancer and audience through musicality, body awareness and personal artistry; techniques & longer combination.
12:45 - 13:30 Lunch Break
You can purchase some small home-made vegetarian food at the school’s bar.
13:30 - 15:30 Lurdiana - Classical Song
Experience the elegance of Raqs Sharqi in its traditional classical form. This workshop focuses on musicality and interpretation of a classical song, teaching simple yet refined movements that highlight grace, emotion, and connection to the music.
16:00 - 17:00 Osama Abdulrasol - Lecture: Maqamat for Dancers
What is a maqam, and which maqamat are most common in the songs we dance Raqs Sharqi to? This lecture, with live music and examples, offers the chance to learn, listen, enjoy, and even dance along.
Galashow
Show times:
18:30 - 20:00
21:00 - 22:30
SUNDAY
09:00 - 09:30 Group Warm up
09:30 - 11:30 Mohanned Hawaz - Lecture: Iraqi Dance
In this lecture-style session, Mohanned will take you on a journey through the rich history and diversity of Iraqi dance. Using visual material (PowerPoint), he will present the cultural context, regional styles, and traditional music that shape Iraqi movement. This workshop is ideal for beginners and anyone curious about the roots and meaning behind the dance.
11:30 - 12:00 Lunch Break
12:00 - 14:00 Mohanned Hawaz - South Iraq Fellahat
Fellahat dance may be simpler, but it features beautiful technique and delicate movements. Mohanned will work with an old traditional song that highlights the deep cultural roots of this style.
14:30 - 16:30 Dancing to Live Music + Mercedes & Lurdiana & Osama & Jamal
Join Mercedes and Lurdiana for a unique workshop with live kanoun (Osama) and darbuka (Jamal). The first hour, led by Mercedes, focuses on melody, taqsim, and musical expression; the second hour, led by Lurdiana, explores improvisation with rhythm. While one teacher leads, the other moves among participants, offering individual feedback and guidance.
16:30 - 17:30 Closing circle & Q&A
Close the festival together in a moment of connection — with others and with yourself — guided by Badriyah. This session combines gentle stretching and cool‑down with space to share experiences and a short Q&A with our teachers.
FEEDBACK SHOW
This is a celebration of performing, not a competition—especially in front of our wonderful guest artists! The Feedback Show allows up to 12 dancers, each performing up to 3.5 minutes. You can dance raqs sharqi, folklore, or mix these styles creatively. After performing, dancers get personal feedback from Mercedes, Lurdiana, Mohanned, and Hendrik. Everyone is welcome to watch, cheer, and share their thoughts. We'll also collect quick audience feedback.
To register for the Feedback Show, you must have at least a day pass or the full package.
Spaces are limited—sign up early to perform!
Performer entry: €70
Audience entry: €10
GALASHOW
Saturday, 15 November 2025
Show 1: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Show 2: 9:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Join us for a show that celebrates connection and the beauty of culture and art — bringing artists together to tell the story of Love. Love for one another, for oneself, for those no longer with us; love for freedom, for art, for culture — love in all its shades. To ensure everyone can experience it, the same program will be performed twice due to limited seating — don’t miss the chance to be part of this unforgettable evening!
Tickets: €25 per person
Children under 6 can come for free and must sit on the mats at the front.
Children 6 and older need to buy a full ticket.
OPENING PARTY
Friday, 14 November 19:30 - 22:00
Let’s start the festival with all the joy and energy it deserves! We’ll dance through the night to your favorite bellydance tunes and savor some special performances throughout the evening. Since this year’s theme is LOVE, dress code is red, pink, rainbow, or anything adorned with hearts.
Full-pass workshop participants are invited to sign up to perform — spots are limited, so don’t miss your chance!
Entry is free.
Registration and Entry Guidelines
Kindly register in advance to secure your spot, as registrations will close once we reach maximum capacity. Your spot will be confirmed only after completing both registration and payment.
For the comfort and safety of all participants, we politely request that you refrain from wearing outside shoes on the dance floors at Shoonya Dance Centre. Dancing will be barefoot, though you may wear socks if you prefer.
Please note that outside food and drinks are not permitted in the studios at Shoonya Dance Centre.
Additionally, a delightful selection of soup and sandwiches will be offered for purchase during lunch hours on both Saturday and Sunday.
All registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable.
ACCOMMODATION & TRAVEL
If you're looking for accommodation, we recommend considering shared room options in Ghent. You can explore local hotels, hostels on the VISIT GENT WEBSITE or even reach out to fellow participants on our Facebook Group for room-sharing or travel together opportunities.
LURDIANA
Lurdiana is a Brazilian dancer whose journey began at the age of seven, inspired by her mother, also a dancer. She trained in a wide range of styles — from classical ballet to jazz, tap, and hip hop — but at 15 she discovered her true passion: belly dance.
Since moving to Egypt in 2017, she has immersed herself in the country’s vibrant culture. Over the years, she has performed in clubs, weddings, and events across Egypt and the Arab world, while also appearing in TV series, music videos, and films.
As a teacher, Lurdiana is known for her unique style of instruction: she pays close attention to detail while guiding dancers to move with ease, creating a performance that looks both effortless and deeply beautiful, always staying connected to the traditional roots of the dance.
Alongside her dance career, Lurdiana nurtures a lifelong passion for yoga. She began practicing at 20, later training as an instructor in India with a specialization in yin yoga. She is currently studying dance therapy in Italy, deepening her work with movement as a tool for healing.
She also organizes retreats in both Egypt and Brazil, where she brings together dance and yoga to guide women on journeys of self-discovery, empowerment, and connection.
MERCEDES NIETO
Mercedes Nieto is an internationally renowned oriental dancer, instructor, choreographer, and cultural ambassador of Raqs Sharqi. She is the principal organizer of CAIRO! Fest Budapest (since 2007), and the founder and artistic director of the Nymph Oriental Dance Company (since 2005). Since 2010, she has also been a Master Teacher of the Nile Group Festival in Cairo.
One of Europe’s most sought-after belly dancers, Mercedes has taught and performed in more than 40 countries across five continents, sharing her knowledge, artistry, and unique vision of oriental dance. In addition to her dance career, Mercedes has been producing Middle Eastern music specifically for dancers since 2012. Working in Cairo alongside some of the region’s finest composers and musicians, she has released four successful albums that have become beloved by dancers worldwide. Her deep connection to music also informs her dance teaching, where she emphasizes musicality, authenticity, and soulful expression.
Despite her busy international schedule, Mercedes continues to teach in her Budapest studio Nimfeum, where she nurtures the next generation of dancers. She also organizes charity galas, creates annual productions with her students, and manages the Nymph Oriental Dance Company, furthering her mission to share and celebrate the art of Raqs Sharqi with audiences and dancers everywhere.
MOHANNED HAWAZ
Mohanned Hawaz is an award-winning Iraqi-Swedish dance artist, choreographer, and cultural researcher. He is internationally recognized for his efforts in preserving and presenting Iraqi folk dance on global stages. Trained by the renowned Iraqi folklorist Hanaa Abdullah, he is the founder of the Enkidu Folklore Arts Group, which has performed in over 30 countries worldwide.
In 2023, he and the Enkidu troupe were officially commissioned by the Iraqi Ministry of Culture to represent Iraq at UNESCO headquarters in Paris during the celebration of the Iraqi National Day, where they performed alongside world-renowned musician Naseer Shamma and conductor Alaa Majid.
In 2023, he was once again commissioned by the Ministry to lead a comprehensive field survey across all Iraqi provinces, aimed at documenting traditional dances and creating choreographic works inspired by Iraq’s rich heritage.
In 2025, Hawaz received an official artistic recognition from the Iraqi Ministry of Culture, acknowledging his significant contributions to safeguarding and promoting Iraqi folk heritage both scientifically and artistically on national and international levels.
This recognition further solidifies his role as a cultural ambassador and a key figure in the global representation of Iraq’s intangible heritage.
OSAMA ABDULRASOL
Osama Abdulrasol, an Iraqi qanun player, composer, and visual artist, was born in Babylon into a religious family where music was forbidden. He secretly learned music during his childhood, studying from books and playing various instruments, including accordion, oud, and guitar. Jazz fascinated him, leading to a 20-year journey of musical discovery.
After leaving Iraq, he taught himself the qanun, becoming a renowned musician. In Belgium, he collaborated with artists like Goran Bregovic and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Osama's diverse work spans film scores, contemporary dance, and international performances, earning him the Belgian Gent Cultural Prize in 2013.
JAMAL MOUSSAID
Jamal Moussaid is a multi-instrumentalist percussionist. His passion for music began in childhood with playing drums and percussion. This passion, which started with an introduction to Eastern music, quickly expanded to other musical styles. Over the years, his repertoire of percussion has grown to include rhythms from various sources. Currently, he is involved in several artistic projects with different groups, spanning a wide range of genres.
HENDRIK LEBON
Hendrik Lebon (Stage Name: Bibi Lebon) graduated from the Fontys Dance Academy in Tilburg in 2005, specializing in dance theater and modern dance, and won the Jacques De Leeuw Young Top Talent Prize. As a young dancer, he was active in Kopergietery and performed in his first dance production, "Mannen" by Ives Thuwis, which took him around the world. He also performed with Theater Neon and the Royal Ballet of Flanders.
Since then, he has worked as a dancer and choreographer in various national and international theater companies. Hendrik consistently combines different disciplines such as acting, circus, burlesque, singing, and music, specializing in creating unique combinations. Currently, he is performing as a dancer in the production "Gardenia" by Les Ballets C de la B, collaborating with the Scottish dance company Curious Seed, singing in two bands (including Les Quatre au Quai), and working in the advertising and television industry. This year, he founded his own company: Goodone Productions.
LENKA BADRIYAH
Badriyah is a professional Raqs Sharqi dancer specializing in Egyptian classical, folkloric styles, modern fusion, and especially the Golden Age of Raqs Sharqi. She is known for her storytelling stage acts that pay tribute to legendary Egyptian dancers, and for her unique blend of modern and old-style Raqs Sharqi that brings both presence and deep self-connection to the stage. As a flute player, she highlights musicality in her dance and classes, expressing melody through soft, fluid movement.
One of her greatest achievements was performing for ten years with Bellydance Evolution, directed by Jillina, both as a lead and troupe dancer in countries including Japan, the USA, Morocco, and Australia. Passionate about the history of Raqs Sharqi, Badriyah also collects vintage Egyptian dance items and runs an online Raqs Sharqi Museum, with future plans to curate exhibitions and establish a physical museum. She is the founder of the Leylet Raqs Festival, where she finds her greatest joy in watching students grow and fall in love with the dance.
Beyond Raqs Sharqi, Badriyah also teaches bachata with her partner Alex. In her daily life she works as a space weather scientist, studying how solar activity affects modern technologies and infrastructures. With a strong passion for science outreach, she leads a project for blind and visually impaired students, creating multisensory ways to experience and understand space weather.