International choreographers perform at the Cairo Dance Festival

Suijkerbuijk has worked as an artist in residence at the Ezzat Ezzat Dance Company in Caïro, Egypt.

“It’s a collaboration between seven choreographers, who by chance all wanted to perform to work in the same period, so we decided to work together, and create one festival.”

Along with Ezzat Ismail the duo performed ‘Continued,’ which represents life as a continues movement.

Ezzat Ismail describes the piece: “It exposes the moments when we are hit by life’s problems and how they affect us, and shows the psychological impact when these problems are over, also how can we accept the problems and how we can continue in this life.”

‘The Balance’ choreographed by Egyptian dancer Hossam Abd Elhameed describes dream and balance and the relationship they share.

The choreographer explains:“It’s the balance between the past and the present and between the good and bad things, and between different types of dance, trying to explain human emotion, like hate and control, I tried to mix all these things together, me and the other person who is my mirror.”

American Megan Mazarick presented “Monster” a piece of work, which creates fantasy by mixing up archetypes.

Cairo-based NUT Dance Company presented “Bolt” a show by choreographer Hazem Header focusing on issues of gender in Egyptian society.

Our correspondent in Cairo Mohammed Shaikhibrahim says:

“Dance troupes crossed borders bringing with them a message of peace, joy and escapism for those living in the turbulent region.”

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Sweet tooth's heaven: chocolate festival in Obidos, Portugal

Welcome to Obidos and its International Chocolate Festival.

Whether they like it dark, milk or white, each year around 200,000 visitors gather in this medieval Portuguese town to indulge on chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.

The theme of the festival this year is love.

“Obidos is a romantic town and many people come here to be with their significant other,” said Ricardo Ribeiro, the festival’s organiser.

“Obidos is a land of passion. When we like someone we offer them chocolates, so I think it’s the perfect connection. And here is the place of the great love story between Pedro and Ines – so you have Obidos, chocolate, and their common denominator, love: it’s the perfect connection.”

If there’s a real-life equivalent to Romeo and Juliet in Portugal it’s indeed the forbidden romance between Prince Pedro and Ines in the 14th century.

Pedro’s father, King Afonso IV, opposed the union and ordered to kill Ines, but Pedro swore to avenge her and launched Portugal into civil war.

The tragedy has inspired many artists and poets across the centuriers. Today, it is being celebrated in Obidos with some mouth-watering sculptures.

But chocolate is not the easiest material to work with, as artist Diogo Esteves explains: “We need to be careful with humidity, because water ruins chocolate just like heat does. This is why we use air conditioning to control the room’s temperature. The sculptures cannot stand variations in temperature, otherwise they can be completely ruined.”

Children here get their own house of wonders where they can combine their favourite foods: pizza and chocolate, complete with marshmallow and candy toppings… Yum.

Meanwhile grown-ups can drink up a traditional sour cherry liquor – in a chocolate cup.

The Obidos Chocolate Festival runs until May 3rd.

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