!أَهْلاً وَ سَهْلاً وَ مَرحَباً بِكُم

                                    WELCOME TO RAQS WITHOUT BORDERS!
     TORKOMADA is excited to announce its Raqs Without Borders fourth edition from August 23, 2019-August 25, 2019 in NYC. Save the date!

Throughout the years, successful cultural diplomacy cases have shown that learning about another culture through dance can foster mutual understanding between nations, and help counteract stereotypes, missteps, war, and hostility. In the past decades, there has been a lack of representation of the Middle Eastern and North African folk dances in U.S. cultural diplomacy. TORKOMADA envisions the indigenous and folk dances of the Middle East and North Africa, specifically Raqs Sharqi, as an important but neglected diplomatic tool in cultural diplomacy, especially in U.S.-Middle East relations.  RAQS WIHOUT BORDERS' mission is to save the traditional dances from extinction, and to strengthen and empower the Middle Eastern dance community in NYC. In like manner, each year RAQS WITHOUT BORDERS honors and recognizes the achievement of professionals in the field of Middle Eastern and North African dance during a gala show in NYC.

Raqs Without Borders-A Middle Eastern and North African Dance Festival: a cultural diplomacy event, is made possible in part with public funds from Creative Engagement, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. LMCC.net
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council-Lower Manhattan Cultural Council empowers artists by providing them with networks, resources, and support, to create vibrant, sustainable communities in Lower Manhattan and beyond.
New York State Council on the Arts
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council