Ahmad Joudeh
Ahmad Joudeh is a Syrian ballet dancer who gained international recognition for his talent and bravery. Born and raised in Damascus, Joudeh was shunned for loving ballet. Dance was seen as a Western art form and considered taboo in his conservative Muslim community. Despite this, Joudeh persevered and pursued his dream, eventually becoming the first Arab male dancer to join the Dutch National Ballet.
Joudeh’s journey to success was not easy, and he faced many obstacles along the way. One of the biggest challenges he faced was escaping from war-torn Damascus in 2016. At the time, Joudeh was living and working in the city, but the ongoing conflict made life increasingly difficult and dangerous. Determined to continue pursuing his passion for dance, Joudeh made the difficult decision to leave his home and flee to Europe.
Joudeh’s escape from Damascus was a harrowing experience, and he faced many risks and challenges along the way. However, his perseverance and determination ultimately paid off, and he was able to reach safety in Europe. Today, Joudeh continues to inspire others with his talent and his story of overcoming adversity in pursuit of his dreams.
Arshin Ghaffarian
Arshin Ghaffarian is an Iranian dancer and choreographer who gained international recognition for his work in contemporary dance. Ghaffarian was born in Iran and began his dance training at a young age. He quickly discovered that the Iranian government was not supportive of the arts, especially dance, which they considered to be Western and immoral. Despite this, Ghaffarian continued to pursue his passion for dance, even forming an underground dance company with a group of like-minded individuals.
In 2009, following the controversial presidential election in Iran, Ghaffarian was caught up in the protests and was arrested by the government. Fearing for his safety, he made the difficult decision to flee the country. With the help of friends and allies, Ghaffarian was able to escape to France, where he continued to work as a dancer and choreographer. Today, Ghaffarian is recognized as a talented and visionary artist, and his story of perseverance and courage has inspired many.
