Towards a state-registered diploma in oriental dance?

Thanks to Ingrid FACORAT for telling us about her bellydancer career but also for mentioning the discussions currently being carried out in favor of the creation of a state-registered diploma in oriental dancing.

You are a member of a work group aiming to create a state-registered diploma in oriental dance. How was this idea born and why?

The creation of a state-registered diploma is a regular topic in talks between oriental dancers. The last lockdowns were an opportunity for intense exchanges in the community. After tough discussions, we decided to tackle this project by creating a collective, and it is still possible to join : https://collectif-do.fr/
Why a state-registered diploma? The state-registered diploma is a guarantee of quality in the educational content and secures a base of knowledge for future teachers. Indeed, some aspects are often little or not at all taught in oriental dance classes: music, history, anatomy, pedagogy... However, the majority of Bellydance teachers are currently starting out without this background, which we believe is essential.
Thanks to the state-registered diploma, oriental dance will be taught in conservatories and so teachers who wish so will be able to have the status of civil servants much less unstable than the current status for a large majority.
The state-registered diploma will allow us to have, for example, access to funding/subsidies for choreographic creation.

Where are you in carrying out this project and what are the next steps planned?

The first stage of the project is to unite the discipline. That's why we started with the collective's creation. We invite everyone practicing oriental dance to sign-up: students, teachers, and dancers.  The project will then be credible with the institutions: it is the starting point that will set the foundations for the future. This requires a lot of energy because it is a crucial step. Then we can present and discuss the project with the appropriate authorities.

What is your background as an oriental dancer and what triggered your passion for this activity?

I discovered Bellydance in a multidisciplinary structure where I was a member. After several years of practice, the passion grew slowly and finally imposed on me. Oriental dance allowed me to reclaim my body, escape from complexes and blossom. It is a dance that leaves lots of space for performance and mentioning the personality. Its richness and diversity make it possible for everyone to find a style that suits her and a wide expression space.

How did you start teaching oriental dance and what do you like in this activity?

After 6 years of learning in weekly oriental dance lessons and as a result of different development training with French and foreign teachers, I took off for Egypt. I discover then Bellydance in its cradle and took one intensive workshop after the other. Back in France, I decided to start and give oriental dance lessons with the help of my teacher at the time.  During this experience, I loved to see my students evolve and blossom because for many, Bellydance contributes to their personal development. It also allowed me to hand down and share my passion and forced me to question myself and outdo myself constantly to give the best of myself.

What are you expecting for the rest of your career in the field of oriental dance?

I continue and want to continue dancing as much as possible.  I also decided in 2020 to no longer teach in order to focus on shining a light on oriental dance. I want to promote Bellydancing and raise it to the row of art which it largely deserves. Hence the creation of exchange spaces between dancers such as the "coffee El Fishawi" in 2017 and the "Café Chicha" during the confinement. And now, the collective to create the state-registered diploma.

Complete these statements...

If I were an oriental dance style, I would be... The Baladi: The pure Egyptian essence and soul.
If I were another oriental dancer, I would be… Tahia Carioca: Elegant, classy, proud.
If I were oriental music, I would be… "Alf leila wa leila": To be able to make the pleasure of dance last night after night.
If I were an oriental dance show, I would be... "Lands of Egypt": To experience again and again these moments of friendship.
If I were a Bellydance costume or garment, I would be... a white cotton djellaba: Simple, pure and authentic.
If I were an oriental dance accessory, I would be... an Assaya (the stick): For the strength this accessory symbolizes.