Ramallah festival takes dancing to the streets

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Contemporary dance has not always been a concept associated with Ramallah. Yet the Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival has been inching toward international recognition through a nongovernmental organization’s persistent efforts to bring together Palestinian and international dance groups.

The 13th edition of the festival — titled “Non-Traditional Spaces” — hosted 15 Palestinian and international groups, and reached 5,500 spectators through performances in Ramallah, Jerusalem, Birzeit, Anabta and Balata refugee camp, its organizers told Al-Monitor. The festival took place April 19-29.