Ahmad Joudeh is a dancer and a choreographer.

He was born and raised in Syria as a stateless refugee. In 2016, he moved to Amsterdam with the help of the Dutch National Ballet. Since 2017, he has been internationally active as an artist. In 2021, he obtained Dutch nationality.

He is the Artistic Director of Dance or Die Foundation

He serves as 

For more about Ahmad Joudeh, see Information.

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Tatoo "Dance or Die"

Under the civil war in Syria, Ahmad Joudeh received constant threats from extremists because of his dance activities.

As a response, he had the words “Dance or Die” tattooed on the back of his neck, the spot where a blade would fall in decapitation. For Ahmad Joudeh, to dance is to exist. To give up dancing was not an option.

Will you support Ahmad Joudeh?

You can support Ahmad Joudeh
with your donation to

The foundation was established in 2021 as a non-profit organisation,  Culturele Algemeen nut beogende instellingen (ANBI) in The Netherlands, 
with Ahmad Joudeh as the Artistic Director.

Memoir “Dance or Die"

English version of the memoir of Ahmad Joudeh "Dance or Die" was published on 21 September 2021 by Imagine Books, a client publisher of Penguin Random House

The Italian version “DANZA O MUORI” was published by DeA Planeta Libri on 6 November 2018.

For more, see Book "Dance Or Die"

Dancing for his Life

Portrait of Ahmad Joudeh by Great Big Story (April, 2019)

World Economic Forum 2022: The Song of the Bird

Projected onto a huge screen behind Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax playing a Catalan folk tune about freedom

Eurovision Song Contest 2021

Ahmad Joudeh performed at the Second Semi-Final of Eurovision Song Contest 2021 on 20 May 2021.

My Word Is Free

UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award Ceremony, Geneva, 1 October 2018

International Friend of SOS Children's Villages International

Contacts for business and projects

Please send your mail to

contact@ahmadjoudeh.com