How did this grant contribute to the realization of your project in regard to artistic exchange, local cultural development and/or the promotion of cultural diversity?

My trip in Vienna had different objectives. First I wanted to start a network of 67 artists working mainly in contemporary dance, that is already actively planned for some projects, involving different countries and different fields of making art. Second, I aimed to establish a relationship between ImpulsTanz (Vienna International Dance Festival) and RCDF (Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival). Then the workshops and coaching projects brought out new ideas emerged during the practices, the watching, or the discussions about different experiences. I consider this is the most important point for developing artistic work. Finally I've invited around 120 artists, some of which are very experienced and actually famous and some of which are still emerging, to work together in Palestine. All of them are now in contact with the festival directors, and the collaboration with any of them is open anytime, some are already schedule to come to Palestine next year.

How does exchange, networking and international contacts contribute to the development of your artistic and cultural project?

Since the dance scene in Ramallah is very small and limited, the way to be more involved in dance and to try to widen in locally is based on networking and collaboration with artists on the international level.

Can you elaborate on the learning and knowledge you have gained and shared throughout this experience?

The society is very different in the Arab world than in Europe, especially if you work in arts. Transferring for 36 days to a completely open society where one can try whatever one's artistic instinct drives is very compelling, and it very much made me understand who I am as an artist. It has to do with space, and having no other pressures turning down your ideas. It was sometimes very difficult not to be affected by the mentality surrounding me in Ramallah, and it made me realize that even if I do not agree with my societies taboos and do not live by them, the fact that they exist in my daily life makes my point of view of things different, and that surprisingly appeared to me as an advantage that makes me able to create new things that include a bigger picture of me and the world, not to mention the art.

Please indicate a link to your current work (website/facebook page)

https://www.facebook.com/RamCDF/