After watching a television documentary about the Syrian dancer  Ahmad Joudeh, Ted Brandsen, artistic director of Dutch National Ballet, decided to set up a fund to bring Joudeh to the Netherlands. Since September, he has been studying at the Academy of Theatre and Dance, where he is taking a combined programme of classes at the National Ballet Academy and on the Modern Theatre Dance and Urban Contemporary courses. Last December, Joudeh made his debut with Dutch National Ballet, in a minor role in Brandsen’s feel-good ballet Coppelia.

The transition from his former hometown of war-torn Damascus to Amsterdam could not have been greater, says 26-year-old Ahmad Joudeh. “It was a huge shock. I thought ‘where am I?’ The people, the lifestyle and the way of getting along together – everything is different. The people here are very friendly. They smile a lot, though unfortunately few people realise what a wonderful life they have here”.

“Since September, I’ve been taking a combined programme of classes at three of the dance schools at the Academy of Theatre and Dance, in Amsterdam. The classical ballet classes at the National Ballet Academy are particularly important to me. Though I might have a good physique for ballet and a good foundation, the war meant that I couldn’t take ballet classes for seven years, as my teacher decided to leave Syria. I have a lot of catching up to do, so I’m working really hard. At the beginning, coming from such a different culture and situation at the age of 26, I felt like a real odd man out among all the other, much younger students. But now I’ve become one of them. Everyone’s so kind and helpful”.

“The opportunity that Ted Brandsen gave me to perform in Coppelia was both bizarre and fantastic. I’ve been following Dutch National Ballet for years on YouTube and could never have imagined that I’d share the stage with those wonderful dancers. I’ve absorbed everything I’ve seen, and learned a great deal from the dancers – not just with regard to steps and technique, but also because you see how focused they are and how hard they work. On YouTube, you only see the perfection. But now I’ve also seen everything that’s involved in becoming so good. It gives me the hope and energy to fight for it myself, even though I think I’ll probably become a modern dancer rather than a classical prince, partly due to my age”. Joudeh says that dancing the role of the priest in Coppelia, as a Muslim, was no problem at all. “I come from a very modern family. We respect everything and everyone, and I have friends who are Jews, Christians and Muslims”.

But however ‘overwhelming’ the experience was, the festive period was difficult and lonely for him. “I’m really close to all the members of my family; not just my immediate family, but also my uncles, aunts and grandparents. I found it hard to be here in December, even though I enjoy the company of my flatmates, Dutch National Ballet dancers Giovanni Princic and Daniel Robert Silva, and I’m lacking for nothing. I even have electricity for 24 hours a day! But nevertheless, you’re continually thinking about the fact that your family and friends in Syria are living in a totally different situation. I have such a good life, and they’re in continual danger. However, it’s my mother and my friends who are encouraging me to carry on here in Amsterdam and find my way. They’re always saying, ‘The only good news we hear comes from you’. So trying to build a career for myself here is something I’m doing not just for myself, but for them as well”.

Dance for Peace
After watching the Nieuwsuur documentary Dance or Die about Ahmad Joudeh, Ted Brandsen took the initiative of setting up the fund Dance for Peace. The fund pays Joudeh’s study and maintenance costs and helps him to develop further as a dancer and choreographer. The fund also hopes to be able to bring other Syrian dancers and choreographers to the Netherlands in the future.
Donations can be transferred to account number NL03 ABNA 0427590280, in the name of Dance for Peace.