Contest Report 2007

A Contest Report about Leyla Jouvana and Roland´s .....................................................1st Bellydancer of the World Contest by Khalida Winner of the 1st Place in Solo Raks Sharki and 3rd Place Solo - Fusion Fantasy Categories

The 15th Annual Leyla Jouvanas International Festival of Oriental Dance took place in Duisburg, Germany, November 23 to December 2, 2007. The guest stars and teachers included Aziza of Canada, Sharon Kihara of Bellydance Superstars, Hind of Morocco, Magdy El-Leisy, Maria Shazadi of Mexico City, but also Leyla Jouvana & Roland, Christian and Seetha and many many more. Dr. Mo of Egypt participated in the event as well, giving workshops on various topics throughout the week.  The festival drew more than 4,500 visitors from various countries around the world.

As usual, the event was packed with 10 days of workshops and ended with a 2 day gala show. But for the first time now the Festival also included (and started off with) an international contest named "Bellydancer of the World". Aziza, Magdy el Leisy, Schachlo, Maria Shazadi and Hind were in the jury. Leyla herself judged as well, but Maria Shazadi replaced her whenever students of Leyla’s dance studio competed.

On a personal note: I've had some doubts about entering this contest because of the ‘big’ title attached to it, but after much thought I decided to go for it anyway.

Working towards a goal really helps me to focus and setting the stakes high pushes me beyond my comfort level as a dancer. But what convinced me even more was the fact that the guest teachers would also be the judges in this competition, which meant we would be able to ask for specific feedback afterwards.

Day 1 - Workshop with Aziza
Figuring it would be less stressful to arrive a day early, a friend from Holland and I checked in on Friday and took a veil workshop with Aziza in Leyla’s Studio on the day before the competition.

Aziza was wonderful as always.. She is truly a warm-hearted teacher who generously shares her passion for this dance form with her students. Her veil work is so fluid and graceful, and I am amazed again and again at the new tricks and beautiful poses she keeps coming up with. 

We talked with Leyla for a moment after the workshop. She had been working day and night for weeks trying to put everything together and was still answering phone calls and emails on the spot. I have nothing but admiration for the massive amount of work she puts into this yearly event, while still taking the time to help out students, guests, and visitors.

We spotted Magdy el Leisy in the Studio as well and asked him to pose for a quick picture with us.

Day 2 - The Contest
So.. After months of preparation this was the day contest time! I would be dancing in 2 categories, Solo Fusion/Fantasy and solo Classic Oriental/Raks Sharki.

The competition was held in a giant sports hall in Duisburg. There was a big bazaar in the front of the hall and there was a nice big stage on the other side. The audience was seated in rows directly in front of the stage, and the judges were on an elevated platform behind them.

The kick-off was a short solo performance by the judges and guest stars. It was fun and inspiring to see them dance, each performer with their own speciality and style. There was a quick break after the show and a few minutes later the first participants started.

For the Fusion/Fantasy Solo, I had prepared a piece using "Isis Wings" half-choreographed with floor work. The audience was great (I heard some zaghareets!) and the dance went well, but my nerves did get to me a bit during the first drum solo improvisation..

I was not able to watch many of the performances that day, but what I did see looked quite good. For example Fériel Rodriguez (France) danced Argentino-Oriental Fusion with great stage presence, and I was very impressed with the technique and polished style of Leyla’s student performance troupes. They won several awards that day (Fantasy and Fusion for groups and for formations) and they were loved by both the audience and participants.

After the soloist drum solo improvisations, I ran to the dressing room to change costumes, jump around a bit and clear my head for the next category.

Before the Classic/Raks Sharki solos started, the Fusion/Fantasy category dancers had to go backstage once more to hear the announcements of the 5 highest scores.  What struck me most about that moment was the positive attitude of the contestants backstage: people were literally cheering each other on behind the curtain.

After we figured out which order we had to go on, I heard Leyla say my name through the speaker.  A moment later I heard her say '3rd place'. At first I was not sure if I had heard correctly, but looking at my friends jumping up and down back in the audience I realized it was true! My first award! I was over the moon, so I kept smiling for the rest of the evening.

The first place for this category went to Fériel Rodriguez of France and second place went to Manon Garin (also of France).

Winning the 3rd place for the Fantasy/Fusion category helped me dance with more confidence during my solo for the Classical/Raks Sharki. The second drum solo felt much better as well. I was able to really hear the music and connected with the audience. I was told by several people that the joy and playfulness I was feeling also radiated off the stage.

A few moments later, the dancers of the main category had to go backstage and wait for the final announcements. After the third and second place were called out (Suleyha-Munhira and Caroline Lemm), we looked around and tried to guess which dancer would be named for the first place.  When I heard “Khalida” through the speakers again I could see my friends jump up and down for the second time this day, way back in the audience.

Magdy and Aziza were dancing on their chairs as well, and then quickly came up to the stage to congratulate the winners.

It was a long day altogether, 263 participants danced in thirteen categories, and the people were quite tired at the end. What struck me most about this day was how smoothly the competition went (despite the large number of participants and groups there were no big delays or problems), the great, amicable athmosphere, and last but not least the fun loving and professional attitude of everyone involved, organisers and participants alike.

Thank you so much Leyla and Roland for making this all possible and setting up this wonderful event!!

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According to the press, Leyla Jouvana is one of the most successful and best dancers and choreographers of Oriental dance in Germany.
Here are a selection of quotations from various newspapers and magazines.

Zagharaeeter, USA, Juni 15, 2006                                                                                           The Incomparable Leyla Jouvana
By Michelle Morrison

Ask anyone who has seen Leyla Jouvana perform to describe her and they will use words like dynamic, energetic,enthralling, and delightful. Her performances are at once technically precise, and yet so full of emotion that you cant help but feel she has opened her heart to you. Ask anyone who has taken Leyla Jouvana´s workshop to describe the class and they will tell you they never shimmied so hard, but that they learned as much dance history as they did actual moves. What on earth could make one dancer so all-encompassing that she could deliver emotion as well as technique, make you sweat and smile? I resolved to find out in a recent interview. What I discovered was a woman who is full of love and gratitude and believes in giving nothing less than her best.
Born in Yugoslavia, Leyla learned her country´s folkloric dances and also studied jazz. She later moved to Germany where at 18 she encountered her first belly dancer. was so impressed with her dancing and fascinated with how the dance was so feminine and beautiful. Germany, Leyla explains, has a wealth of foreign cultures and dances. But in her native Yugoslavia, Oriental dance only really began in 2002. Had I still been living there, I would not have discovered this wonderful dance!
Even though she was a lifelong dancer, Leyla did not set out to become a world-wide performer and instructor. Her capacity for foreign languages had her working in a secretarial position, but after a year of belly dance classes, the studio where she was taking asked her to present a workshop, and then regular classes. The classes quickly grew in number until she had to quit her regular job! She now teaches 300 regular students over the course of 10 classes a week in her own studio. Her foreign language skills have been incredibly useful as she spends most weekends away teaching workshops. Somehow, she still finds time to study. “ I have not finished with learning dance. I will never finish. If you think you are good enough and have no need to train any more, you will stop at one level.
Leyla does not limit her studies to Oriental dance, however. Her repertoire of knowledge is vast with expertise in teaching and presenting Saidi dance, veils (from two to seven veils!), Bollywood-style Indo-Arabic, Tango Oriental, Rumba Oriental, Melaya Leff, Turkish Belly Dance, Spanish-Arabic Fusion, Afro-Oriental, though, of course, she is famous for her classical Egyptian Raqs Sharki.
As someone who teaches eight classes a week, I was desperately curious as to how she maintained her energy level with such a busy schedule. “Thankfully I am naturally energetic! I am also a workaholic. But a lot of my energy comes from my students. Leyla explained that the dance community is a continuous circle. When she feels her work is successful, her students are happy. Happy students give me back a lot of positive energy. This is important. Leyla and her husband Roland also try to keep Fridays for relaxing. We have our own sauna which helps us renew,< she says, as does simply spending time together.
Roland is a large part of Leyla´s success. The two met sent they were both sweet 16, and married when they were 21. His interest in the doumbek began shortly after Leyla began studying Oriental dance. am so glad he was also fascinated with the rhythms and music that I did not have to convince him!â€� Now Roland plays for Leyla and directs the percussion at her studio. He also presents at workshops and not only plays the traditional Oriental percussion instruments (the Darbukka, Def, Doumbek), but is a master at congas, frame drum, and cymbals. Because they have worked together so much, their dance-drum collaborations leave lots of room for improvisation. We will develop a choreography and composition, but he knows my movements and I know his way of playing. After so many years, we can just look at each other and know what to do next.
As if their schedule was not busy enough, Leyla and Roland also produce a yearly Oriental Dance Festival in their hometown of Duisbur/Clauberghalle where they showcase not only their talents, but also those of their proteges and famous dancers from around the world. Attendance at the nine-day-long event has reached 3,600 people. During the weeks before the festival, it is not uncommon for them to spend 13-16 hours preparing for the five shows.
With so much on their plate, the only thing Leyla and Roland really wish for is a bit more time for each other. Nonetheless, We are very happy with our careers. We love traveling all over the world and exploring new cultures and meeting nice people especially the Americans! We hope to keep our positive energy and to be able to give positive energy to our audience and students.
You can experience some of Leyla Jouvana´s positive energy in Albuquerque August 5-6, 2006 when she will teach a workshop and perform with Roland. Visit www.farfesha.com for more information.
Based in gorgeous Albuquerque, NM, Michelle Morrison has 14 years of belly dance experience. She is director of Farfesha Belly Dance Company, owner of Farfesha Studios, producer of her own instructional videos, and a popular workshop instructor.

Star Magazine "Sun" ,New Delhi, February 2002, Nr.7 (Click here to see the original press report)
(...)On their maiden tour to India the inspiring duo from Germany, who have performed all over the world, shared their experiences with Pooja Madhok. For some seeing a bellydance is a momentary high, but for the dancers it´s an art, that takes years to perfect. "For us dance is an art, a prayer that is not merely for men, but for everyone", quips Leyla Jouvana, who runs a school of oriental dance in Duisburg in Germany. Leyla, a celebrated and gifted dancer, performed recently in India along with her best pupil Julia.(...)

Union-News, August 5, 2000
(...)A Middle Eastern Dance Concert will feature an international belly-dancing star from Europa as well as al local troupe. .... International performer Leyla Jouvana will be the special guest when the Crescent Dancers, a Middle Eastern Dance troupe, present their 25th-anniversary show.... Jouvana, who has been called "the best Oriental dancer in Europe," specializes in tradtional and Classic Egyptioa dance. She and her dummer-husband, Roland, have produced two videos and have performed in Vienna, Austria and Cairo, Egypt, among other cities. They are natives of Germany

Valley Advvocate August 3 - 9, 2000
(...) Featured at this speacial event will be Leyla Jouvana, a renowned belly dancer from Germany know as the "Shimmy-Queen", and her husband Roland, one of the best and most popular dummers on the Oriental dance scene. (...)

Halima, Issue 2/99
(...) For several years, Leyla Jouvana´s festival has been one of the highlights of the international Oriental dance scene, and with a total audience of 1.900 over three performances it is also one of the most successful. (...) It goes without saying that Leyla Jouvana herself danced, delighting her audience, as usual, with two lively dances to the sensitive accompaniment of her husband Roland on the tabla. (...)

Halima, Issue 4/98
(...) The undisputed highlights were the two performances of Leyla Jouvana with Roland, and the finale (...) The first half reached its climax with the appearance of Leyla. The slow piece with which she started was full of passion, sensuality and feeling, sending a frisson through the audience. Full power and never-ending shimmy variations followed in a bombastic drum solo played by Roland and his master-class pupil Ralf. (...) With Roland and Ralf on the conga and djembe drums, Leyla performed an afro-oriental dance which she had choreographed herself. All the artists were given standing ovations by the enthusiastic audience. (...) We are already looking forward to the next show.

Mitteldeutsche Zeitung, Halle 11 Dec 1998
She is regarded as one of the best Oriental dancers in Germany. With her choreographies and her temperament she has already won wide acclaim in France, the Netherlands, Egypt and Finnland. Her husband Roland accompanies her on the Arabic tabla. He also plays percussion and the conga drums.

NRZ Duisburg, 1 Dec 1998
While the world of advertising is dominated by nothing but skin and bones, feminine curves came into their sensuous own in the Hamborn Clauberghalle - the sixth Oriental Dance Festival was a complete success. (...) Leyla Jouvana herself charmed her fans in her role as Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love: with the help of her ensemble she transformed the stage into a mystic waterworld. (...)

NRZ, 25 Nov 1998
The shimmy made her famous. Nobody can do it as well as Leyla (...) The art of Oriental dance at its finest. Leyla Jouvana, world-class belly dancer from Duisburg, has got the shimmy in her blood - and in her legs, calves, midriff and belly. (...)

Harburger Rundschau, 13 Oct 1997
(...) The internationally acclaimed dancer Leyla Jouvana from Duisburg, accompanied by the drumming virtuosity of her husband Roland, was able to add highlight upon highlight to what was already an outstanding evening. Overflowing with charm, sensuality and fun, Leyla, who was born in Yugoslavia, took the predominantly informed audience by storm whether with the fiery Arabian-Spanish dance, the classical Raqs Sharki or the unusual Pharaohs dance (...)

Kronacher Zeitung, 18 Nov 1996
(...) He presented Leyla Jouvana, currently the best and most professional Oriental dancer in Europe. She was accompanied by the drums, played by her husband Roland, and four dancers from her master class at Leyla´s Oriental Dance Centre in Duisburg. (...) Leyla Jouvana is on of the most famous Oriental dancers in Europe.