8th “Bollywood and Multicultural Dance Festival”
Under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO),
the City of Athens and the International Dance Council (CID)
In association with the Embassy of India, Athens
July 1st-3rd 2022 in Athens Greece
With great success, 8th Bollywood and Multicultural Dance Festival was held in the historical “Dora Stratou” Theatre. Students and Artists from more than 15 countries participated and contributed to the huge success of the festival. The Festival opened its doors with dance workshops on Friday morning, 1st July 2022, and went on with the Opening Welcome party in the evening that took place in ΑΝΤΙΚΑ Rock café-bar.
Saturday’s and Sunday’s workshops witnessed high excitement as the teachers introduced some unique styles and choreographies, and were applauded from the participants, for their love for dance and their professional level of choreographies and pedagogy. In total, there were 14 workshops and Masterclasses with 10 International teachers from all over the world.
The 7th International Bollywood Dance Competition was attended by dozens of contestants from all over the world. The judges panel comprised of Anita Nagpal, Michalis Michailidis and some of the guest international artists. The Competition was followed by Mega shows of the Festival (Saturday, 2nd July and Sunday, 3rd July), which were the main attraction of the festival. The audience had the opportunity enjoy some magnificent choreographies by world famous artists around the globe.
The 1st Bollywood Dance Academy Greece shined with the unique choreographies of the Founder and Artistic Director, Anna Dimitratou, of the Indian choreographer, dancer and Creative Manager, Sumon Rudra, by the incredible Hassan Bolbol that swirled the audience with his striking presence during the traditional Al Tanura performance, and of course by our guest artists Hemant Devara, Carolina Rubio, Vinatha Sreeramkumar, Kinga Malec, Lavesh Pritmani, Sneha Mistri, Pavan Prasad, Amine Amoura and Zoe Tsouni with their endless energy and their top the notch appearance.
Nevertheless, special mention goes also to the groups, from Greece and Abroad that were applaud dearly by the audience, and proved us that dance is an endless art, that is always enriched with new trends and techniques. Α stunning performance also by the Association of Greek Dances & Folklore Research “Elliniki Paradosi” that presented dances from Thrace region (teachers and choreographers Mr. Vasilis Tsounis and Ms. Efi Routi) as also well-beloved folk dances (Syrtaki, Zorbas, Chasaposerviko) that hade everyone (performers and audience) dancing together.
The Festival honored with their presence H.E. Mr. Amrit Lugun (Ambassador of India in Greece) that greeted the Festival, Ms. Anita Nagpal (Attaché of Culture of Embassy of India in Greece), Mr. Naveen Shαrma (Second Secretary of Embassy of India in Greece), Mr. Nicholas Vafeiadis (prominent journalist, war correspondent and reporter of ANTENNA channel) who preceded the Festival, the well-known Music Producer of Kosmos Radio by ERT, Mr. Peter Adam, Mr. Maghar Gandhi (President of Greek – Indian Cultural and Welfare Association), Mr. Michalis Michailidis (GNTO representative – Head of the Directorate of Domestic and Foreign Services), the President of the International Dance Council, Dr. Alkis Raftis, Mr. Dimitris Vasilliades and Mr. Konstantinos Kalaitzis of Indo – Hellenic Society for Culture & Development, the Indian movie producer Mr. Ravinder Dariya as also many more official guests.
During both Shows the “Urban Fauna of the City of Athens – Animal Adoption Program” (note that a sweet dog named Bella was adopted during the Festival), the “Voice of the Child” (Association for the Support of Children with Cancer) and the Environmental Organization WWF Greece were present.
The Organizing Team states totally satisfied by the outcome and express their gratitude to our Sponsors, friends and the big audience of the Festival.
We renew our rendezvous for… July 2023!!!