National Folkloric Troupe of Egypt Performance

The Egyptian Canadian Cultural Association of Ottawa, ECCAO* in cooperation with the Egyptian Embassy in Ottawa and the Cultural and Educational Bureau in Montreal organizes a special performance event by The National Folkloric Dance Troupe of Egypt on Tuesday, July 16th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Canadian Museum of History Theater located at 100 Laurier St. Gatineau, QC.

With the Bill 106 that proclaims the month of July in each year as Egyptian Heritage month in its final stages to become in effect we are excited that we can kick off the annual festivities with such a great event!

Below are some additional logistical information to ensure we will have a smooth run of the event:

Please print and review the attached invitation and ensure to bring it to the event, a soft copy on a smartphone is also accepted at registration;
Dress Code: Smart Casual;
Minimum age: 12 years old;
Documents to present: A (hard or soft) copy of the invitation plus a photo ID that matches the names on the invitations;
Doors open at: 6:00 p.m. – close at 6:40 p.m.

Looking forward celebrating our cultural heritage with you and to have an unforgettable night!

Should you have any question or comment, don’t hesitate to contact Khaled Badawi, ECCAO President at khaled.b@eccao.com, cell: 613-710-3360 or send us email at info@eccao.com

*ECCAO is non-religious, non-political NGO that was established in 1984 to promote Egyptian heritage and culture among Egyptians living in Ottawa and non-Egyptians who are interested in the Egyptian history and culture. We welcome individuals and families to take part of our activities and to consider to become members. To learn more about our activities, programs and the membership rules and benefits, please visit our website eccao.com — Become a Member — Membership Information

Program:
6:00 Reception and Seating
6:45 MC and Welcoming
7:00 Performance part I
7:50 Intermission
8:00 Performance part II
8:30 Closing

Dances:

1. EL MOWASHAH: originating from the ancient Andalusian music and tradition, this piece is also known as “the ladies dance” as it was popular in royal palaces.
2. DABKEH ELMEGWEZ: A kind of Dabka originating from the Levant and Lebanon, which relies on collective performance skills creating intricate and magnificent formations.
3. ELGHAWAZY: Originating in the city of Sonbat in the delta area, this dance is characterized by a Gypsie vibe where girls show their skills in dancing with sticks to the music of a traditional kazoo.
4. ELMANBOUTYA: Originating from the Port Said area on Egypt Eastern Northern Coast, this dance reproduces the movements of the sailors in their boats greetings and interacting with bigger foreign freight passing through the Suez Canal area and reaching Port Said.
5. FETEWAT QEBLY: A comic altercation between two suddern neighborhood bullies.
6. EL MELAYA: Taking its name from the famous outfit worn by the traditional city girl in early 20th century urban neighborhoods, the dance showcases their playful elegance.
7. ELTANOURA: Inspired by Islamic and Sufi tradition, this dance is performed in traditional religious and spiritual celebrations.
8. ELHAGALA: A Dance originating from Marsa Matrouh in the Western coastal area of Egypt, where tradition imposes on girls to be chosen by their suitors, exceptionally the bride in the dance has the freedom to choose her partner.
9. OM EL KHOLOL: A lively scene showing the return of the fishermen after a long day in the sea, showing their bounty and more specifically a kind of seashell similar to clams “Om EL Kholol”.
10. THE HORSE: The Arab horse is a unique breed of horses capable of dancing to the rhythm of the Kazoo instrument and known for its intelligence and ability to follow instructions.
11. THE STICK: A traditional stick dance between boys & girls in Upper Egypt.