Before starting of the festival I went to the location already and enjoyed my days with very sweet and lovely people at the swimming pool. We danced, ate, drank and talked. I like to call it a swimming pool party. Throughout the festival and after the festival I spent more time together with them as they we’re not attending the festival and after the festival I spent time with other very lovely and sweet people in the swimming pool. Planning to meet up with them in the future.

Cleopatra Dance Fest 2025 was again to describe as an unforgettable and magical experience, this year was different compared to last year because I knew what to expect but I was very enthusiastic and thrilled to go back and counted the days for the event to start. I choose my dress and felt as a star again walking the red carpet, enjoyed the live music and shows for opening the festival. Immediately made new connections and talked with dancers/teachers I didn’t get the chance to talk with the year before. In the opening gala show there was a presentation and opening speech from Mohamed Shahin and Zara, performances, the different countries where participants of the festival are originated from (including the teachers etc.). The party was crazy, dancing all together. In total there are 40 hours of educational workshops, which started the day after the opening. Every night there are shows, competitions and some special surprises throughout the week. For example parties thrown and dancing all together to live music or someone specially invited to dance or a price to win. Every year Mohamed Shahin invites special guest to his festival to perform.

I’m a big fan of Mohamed Shahin his music and dance and have multiple CD’s and educational DVD’s. This year he had a big surprise as he announced the release of his new album ‘El Layali’, I was very proud when he tagged me in his announcement video as he knew I would be present during the release and that I love his music. Before the actual release I enjoyed the parts of his new album already which we’re in the announcement video and listened to it many times. He used two of his songs for his master workshops during the festival.

The teachers at Cleopatra Dance Fest are always great and high level. To see who was present as teacher you can see the posters from 2024 and 2025 in the page ‘Previous Events’ or check the Cleopatra Dance Festival. Very proud of myself and learned a lot in the workshops and most importantly enjoyed. I’ve grown this year just as last year.

This year I choose to dance to live orchestra on stage for the first time as I wanted to experience how the live music would impact my feeling on stage, the deeper connection with the music. The music is different with a live orchestra and that made the experience something to never forget also being together with the live band on stage (I danced before to live music or live instruments). I love dancing to live orchestra but also enjoy dancing to music played from CD. In the competition I danced to a song produced by Mohamed Shahin, this was very exciting and it also feared me a little bit as he was present and watching from front row. I’m so proud of both performances and got compliments and encouragement from the dancers in the public at the moment and during the following days of the festival, these are things I will carry in my heart forever. I was much more open and grown a lot in my dance. The day out to the beach was a relaxed day with dancing, being together and enjoying the sun. The last night of the festival there was a closing gala and party and as all the festival it was amazing. Memories are made and to never forget. Just as last year, I look back to the festival experience with a big smile and love in my heart.

Amazing to be there again!! Made so many new connections with lovely dancers and looking forward to keep on seeing all of them in the future.

Thanks to all of you for making my festival week and also the days around the festival so memorable and unforgettable <3