3rd Exotic Dance Festival "Magic Carpet"

This year we visited Madona for the third summer running, where the Exotic Dance Festival took place on the afternoon of 31 July at the culture house. Thanks to Sandra from Mantigra for her enthusiasm in organising such events.

It must be said that with each year the event becomes more organised, more varied, and better attended. Alongside the traditional belly dance choreographies such as oriental, saidi, and tribal, original pieces and fusions of various styles were on display. Several Gypsy dance performances and improvisations with Spanish, Moroccan, Brazilian, and Indian dance styles.

In total, audiences could watch 39 performances, with the participation of 63 dancers and approximately 10 dance styles. There were also representatives from an Estonian belly dancing school. It turns out that belly dancing arrived in Estonia twice as early as in Latvia (here only about ten years ago), and the performance differed somewhat from the home-grown ones in its choice of movements and elements. Their dance with a combination of fan veils was pleasing, leaving a surreal impression and an illusion of a constant flow of wind.

The well-practised and hypnotic movements of Elīna's tribal dance - truly the suppleness of a snake. One also wanted to note Santa, whose movements were full of energy and radiated a genuine feeling of dance. Watching her performance, I thought: this is how a woman dances who loves her body, her rounded hips, her belly, everything - superb!

The dance studio Malika from Daugavpils brought many show elements, colourfulness, and a variety of dance styles and costumes. Interesting was the choreography with mirrors by the studio Oriental Ladies from Jelgava - something not seen before. The costumes were also fitting, like those of sea nymphs. The youngest festival participant is only 10 years old, but the dance in which the main movements were performed with her hair was very much worth watching.

Elements of modern dance and careful work on choreography were evident in the dancers from the studio Haidar (Valmiera). Director Evija had given thought to the artistic side of the performance. Viewing with non-professional eyes, one got the impression that group choreography works particularly well - team effort, so to speak.

Moreover, standing out with an individual performance and originality in the choice of music and choreography was Dana, i.e., the Black Pearl. She performed a dance of her own creation to the music of Sting's "Desert Rose". The professionalism of many years' dance experience is undeniable, to which has been added grace from ballet classes and even more developed fluidity from modern dance studios.

There is not much more to describe - dance and movement must be enjoyed with one's own eyes. From the event we brought home more than one hundred photographs. Here are a few of those that spoke to us.