Thursday, May 9, 2013

Dancing in Jaffa

Ballroom dancing teacher Pierre Dulaine who is of Palestinian and Irish parentage, returned to Israel in order to bring together Israeli and Palestinian children together in a new way: through dance. He brings together Jewish and Palestinian children who are citizens of Israel.  He made a documentary of this process that was screened in the Tribeca Film festival. This "Dancing Classrooms" program has reached 350,000 children. It's to bring down barriers and encourage social development in children. Ballroom dancing helps to teach these children important skills such as discipline, etiquette and self-esteem. In addition, it stresses the importance of respect of your partner. In order to dance correctly, one must move correctly and along with your partner, which means the two dancers must get along.

-Madelyn Higdon

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20130509-dancing-for-peace-in-the-mid-east

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