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“Awatef ”  Giovanna

I was fascinated by Oriental Dance as a child.  I cannot recall when I first learned of this art, but the first time I was asked to draw myself at school -I must have been 5 years old- I portrayed myself with harem pants, bra and veil.

Oriental Dance has brought me the best things of my life: Not only has it let me express my artistic side, but it helps me feel beautiful and special if just for an instant.  It has opened my world to new cultures and it has given me the opportunity to meet wonderful people I would have probably never ran into, and whom I can proudly consider my friends.

My first practical contact with Oriental Dance was through books I got to start practising by myself.  I then had some workshops, and in one of them met whom would become my regular teacher, Munique Neith, with who I studied beginners level, intermediate, advanced levels 1 & 2, and professional level.  I have also attended workshops with Farida Fahmy, Lulu Sabongi, Dr. Mo Geddawi, Hossam & Serena Ramzy, Said el Amir, Ashraf Hassan, Shalaby, Shokry Mohamed...  The list goes up to 27 Raks Sharki teachers, 4 Tribal style teachers (including Rachel Brice), and 5 percussion teachers.  And it continues to grow!

I have travelled to Casablanca (Morocco) and to London (U.K) in order to train.  I have also had the chance to visit Cairo (Egypt) more than once in order to take lessons.  Attending the 2^nd Seminar by Farida Fahmy and Mahmoud Reda on November 2006 has been a wonderful experience I hope to repeat.

My performances have been scarce so far, for I wanted to complete my “basic training” in order to be able to perform and teach correctly.

 I have appeared in Munique Neith’s graduation shows in 2005, and in 2006 (where I first appeared in a solo), and have performed in Ahlan wa Sahlan 2006 (Cairo Dance Festival organized by Raquia Hassan), with live music by Khamis Henkesh.  I also performed in popular festivities, such as La Mercè in Hospitalet (Barcelona) in 2004

I am currently settled in Barcelona, where I give lessons both of raks sharki and tribal style.

Curious fact: “Awatef” (which means “feelings” or “emotions”) was the name I was given by teacher and friend Hossam Ramzy.  He was also kind enough as to include me in the “Thanks” list of his magnificent album “Flamenco Arabe”

Other names that have been kindly suggested by a friend for me to take are: Eshtaa (“the rich cream from a pure milk”), Gamilla (“the beautiful”), Aspania (“a girl from Spain”), or Fouakeh (“fruits”), between others.

Contact Awatef

eobiont@msn.com

www.awatefeshtaa.com

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