WELCOME TO RAQS WITHOUT BORDERS!
               !أَهْلاً وَ سَهْلاً وَ مَرحَباً بِكُم
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 2022 is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.
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Raqs Without Borders in cultural diplomacy: a MENA dance festival in NYC is made possible in part with public funds from Creative Engagement, supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by LMCC.
Raqs Without Borders in cultural diplomacy: a MENA dance festival in NYC is made possible in part with public funds from Restart NY supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by LMCC.
New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)
LMCC serves, connects, and makes space for artists and community.