Ahmad Joudeh
Ahmad Joudeh was born in 1990 in Yarmouk, a Palestinian Refugee Camp in Damascus, Syria. Since his father is a son of a Palestinian refugee, Ahmad Joudeh was born as a stateless refugee, although the mother is Syrian from Palmyra, yet women in Syria can’t pass their nationality to their children.
Ahmad Joudeh became fascinated about dancing when he saw a ballet performance for the first time in his life at the age of eight. Ever since, to become a dancer was his dream.
The Beginning
2006-2015
Enana Dance Theater
At 16, totally self-taught, Ahmad Joudeh auditioned for the main Syrian ballet company, Enana Dance Theater in Damascus, and was accepted. There he was trained in ballet, gymnastics and modern dance.
His mother supported his dream of becoming a dancer. His father disapproved. Because of this disagreement, his father left the family.
Ahmad Joudeh travelled extensively with the company in places including Qatar, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan and Lebanon.
"Dance or Die" - Tattoo on the neck
Ahmad Joudeh encountered not only life-threatening situations, but also constant threats by extremists simply because of his dance activities. As declaration of his determination to keep on dancing, he had the words Dance or Die tattooed on the back of his neck, the spot where the blade would be applied in case of execution. For Ahmad Joudeh, to dance is to exist. To give up dancing was not an option.
The civil war in Syria
The civil war in Syria, which broke out in 2011, had devastating impacts on the life of Ahmad Joudeh and his family. Five of his relatives lost their lives. Ahmad Joudeh and his family lost everything, as their home was destroyed by a bomb.
2014
"So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD) in LebanonEnana Dance Theater
Ahmad Joudeh was invited to participate in the Arab version of "So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD), a TV dance competition, in Lebanon in 2014. He became a known dancer in Arabic world with the prominent performances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNyr2Pjc_Zw&t=47s
2014-2016
SOS Children's Villages Syria
Witnessing a child killed in a battle, Ahmad Joudeh decided to work for children orphaned in the war. He joined fundraising activities for SOS Children's Village Syria and held dance lessons for the children of their villages, Ahmad has a lot of joy and a big talent in teaching children especially children with difficult situations such as refugees and down syndrome children, through his dance workshops he makes the children build a stronger self esteem and create a deeper bond between them.
2016
Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, Damascus, Syria
Ahmad Joudeh graduated from Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts “dance department” Damascus, Syria, in July 2016.
He completed the study and training in dance and choreography.
2016
Reportage 1 by Roozbeh Kaboly on Dutch TV
Ahmad Joudeh became known to outside the Arab world through a reportage about his life in Syria under the civil war made by Roozbeh Kaboly, a Dutch journalist. The reportage was broadcast first on 6 August 2016 in the Dutch National TV news programme Nieuwsuur of NOS. It was shown in many countries afterwards, including UK and France.
The reportage includes Ahmad Joudeh's dances for the souls of those who had lost their lives in the civil war at the Roman amphitheatre of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage. This was probably the last art performance at this theatre before it was destroyed later in the year.
From Syria to Amsterdam
2016
The Dutch National Ballet
Touched by watching Reportage 1, Ted Brandsen, the Director of the Dutch National Ballet, organized The Dance For Peace Fund, which invited Ahmad Joudeh to The Netherlands. Ahmad Joudeh moved to Amsterdam in October 2016. to study at the Dutch national ballet academy at AHK (Amsterdam university of the Arts)
Ahmad Joudeh made his debut at Dutch National Ballet in the production of “Coppelia” in December 2016.
and performed at deferent galas like Dansers van morgen 2017 and Dancing on the brain 2020
Since 2017 Ahmad Joudeh has been active as a dancer not only in The Netherlands but also in other countries within Europe (France, Switzerland, Norway, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Belgium) and UAE.
His story was reported around the globe. He has also been active in supporting Syrian refugees.
2016
Roberto Bolle
In November 2016, Ahmad Joudeh received a private lesson by Roberto Bolle, the international star ballet dancer whom Ahmad Joudeh admires as his idol.
In November I was at the Dutch National Ballet and they told me that there is a Syrian boy who wants to meet me. We met, it was Ahmad: he was trembling, he was crying, he was excited. Then he revealed everything to me and it was moving for me.
- Roboert Bolle
Article with video - le Repubblica
Ahmad Joudeh danced with Roberto Bolle to "Inshallah" sung by Sting himself in a TV programme "Danza con me" of Rai1, 1 January 2018
Link to performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejgsLdHZPdI&t=569s
2018
For refugees and their children
Ahmad Joudeh contributed towards raising awareness for the situation of refugees and their children.
The majour contributions in 2018:
Dance4Life
A charity show for children in Syrian by SOS Childrens' Village Italy
Milan, 28 November 2018Together in Solidarity
An event hosted by European Parliament and sponsored by UNESCO Brussels Liaison Office
Brussels, 20 June 2018, UN World Refugee DayNansen Refugee Award Ceremony of UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency Geneva, 1 October 2018
2019
International Emmy® Award to Documentary "Dance or Die"
On 25 November 2019, one of 2019 International Emmy® Awards, one in the category of Arts Programming was awarded to a documentary “Dance Or Die” by Roozbeh Kaboly, a Dutch journalist, featuring the life of Ahmad Joudeh from July 2016 to October 2017: his life in Syria under the civil war, his travel to Amsterdam in October 2016, and his life in Amsterdam.
The latest in his story
2021
Nationality, Eurovision, Foundation, and Memoir
In February 2021, Ahmad Joudeh obtained Dutch Nationality. In May 2021, he performed at the intermission of second Semi-Final of Eurovision Song Contest organized by European Broadcasting Union, EBU.
In the same month, a non-profit organization Dance or Die Foundation was established with Ahmad Joudeh as the Artistic Director.
In September, the English version of his memoir "Dance or Die" was published.
See Book "Dance or Die"
link to the Eurovision performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pmPlmzXz7U&list=RD9pmPlmzXz7U&start_radio=1
May-2023
The Liberation Day of The Netherlands
Ahmad Joudeh has performed on the main stage of the 5 may celebration of the Netherlands of freedom during the presence of her majesty Queen Maxima and his majesty King William Alexander, the royals of the Netherlands,
He also participated in the memorial day of 4th May with the royal family
2023
Graduation from Amsterdam University of the Art as a Ballet teacher
In July 2023 Ahmad has graduated from the Dutch National Ballet Academy as the first qualified ballet master from Syria and the Arab countries with a bachelor degree in Ballet teaching ( Vaganova Method)
July-2023
The Fire Island Dance Festival -NYC
Ahmad had Performed at the Fire Island dance festival his original piece Layl (Night). Joudeh combined balletic movement with the folk traditions of the Sufi circle, showing poise and strength in equal measure as he made mesmerizing dervish whirls in a Sufi skirt.
2023
United Nations for Human Rights
Ahmad has performed at the 75 celebration to commemorate the human rights day on 10 December 2023 and spoke at the United nations Palais de Nation in Geneva Switzerland
2022-2024
World Economic Forum
In May 2022, the image of Ahmad Joudeh dancing to "The Song of the Bird" was projected onto a huge screen behind Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax playing a Catalan folk tune about freedom at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022 .
In January 2023 Ahmad has participated at the World Economic Forum annual meeting as a Cultural Leader from The Netherlands.
in April 2024 Ahmad was appointed as a Young Global Leader
Link to WEF2022 performance: