Fatima CHEKKOR : The very essence of oriental dance in France

Thanks to Fatima CHEKKOR, renowned and multi-generational oriental dance teacher, for telling us about her professional career in the field.

What is your story with Bellydance?  Can you tell us about your career's highlights starting with the birth of your passion until today?

My story with Bellydance begins when one day, in 1980, I asked myself the following question: Are there serious oriental dance lessons somewhere in this world? Bellydance classes as structured as classical dance, jazz and other dances known at the time. Me, who came from a very organized sporting and artistic background. As a result, I worked hard to bring to this discipline some structuring points already found in dances recognized then by the State.

How do you analyze the evolution of oriental dance from its beginnings until today? And what do you think are its future prospects?

In the 80s, there were a few oriental dancers in France, so few that you could count them on your fingertips! The structures to accommodate them were non-existent. There was only one cabaret "EL JAZAÎR".
When it came to learning Bellydance, there were only Zaza HASSAN and Leila HADDAD, therefore I was the 3rd person to teach this discipline.
Today, I feel proud when I see how much oriental dance has spread and how many professional oriental dancers and Bellydance classes there are now in the country.This means that pioneers like us did a good job at initiating the development of oriental dance. But there's still a lot to do! For example clarifying the specificities of several professions in this discipline (The oriental dance teacher's duty, the one of the choreographer…) as it is the case in all trades.

Did you have to fight to make Bellydance your job?

Oh yes! I fought many battles and to this day, I still do! The first relates to my time in teaching oriental dance. I have been doing this job for 4 decades and today, I'm still at the Marais dance center in Paris.
I also created the French Federation of Oriental Dance by bringing together all the pioneers in this field and offering the new generation to join. The goal of the F.F.D.O is above all to defend the respect of this Art so that it finds its spot and obtains the recognition it deserves.

What Bellydance dreams do you have yet to achieve and why?

My biggest dream is to keep on teaching Bellydance until my last breath because I never get tired of it! I am almost 70 years old and I continue to vibrate for the true artists, those who have it in their guts and take the greatest pleasure in making us dream with qualitative and professional oriental dance shows.

What is your own definition of Bellydance?

Oriental dance is the art of moving your body to the music and rhythms by combining beauty, flexibility and emotion. Serious work produces a magical result. It is a dance rich in the audacity of daring to move away from traditions to join Art and become a universal dance, while respecting the styles' varieties existing from one country to another. It is a pleasant, multicultural, cosmopolitan dance, which gives it an abundant wealth of technicalities.
It is also a dance suitable for all ages. The oldest student in my oriental dance lessons is 83 years old and dances 2 hours non-stop every week!

Can you name a few oriental dancers from the young French generation who thrill you?

For example, I'd say Myrto, Vélina, Naïra, Marie SHOKKOS, Maya, Karine and many others who are just as pleasant to watch on stage. Some gave me goosebumps when I saw their Bellydance performance.

What are your favorites in oriental dance?

- Bellydance music: I don't like a specific title because for me, all music can be danced on.
- Oriental dance's style: The same way, I teach dance, that is to say movement, so it is a question of being ready to dance all styles.
- Bellydance costume: I can't say because it all depends on the show's theme.
- Oriental dance's "Star": Samia GAMAL