On the initiative of the S&D Group, the European Parliament will host a cultural event to celebrate World Refugee Day on 20 June 2018 on the Esplanade, in front of the Europe Parliament in Brussels. The event is part of a wider initiative to highlight the positive role refugees are playing in European societies.

 

More than 100 refugees, coming from all over Europe, will join the celebration as well as a performance by Syrian dancer and choreographer Ahmad Joudeh.

 

 

From the ruins of Palmyra to the streets of Paris, Amsterdam and Madrid, Ahmad Joudeh expresses his remarkable art to spread hope and resilience for all those who had the flee war and persecution. Ahmad Joudeh moved to Amsterdam with the help of the Dutch National Ballet in 2016.

 

For media requests please contact Tim Allan at tim.allan@ep.europa.eu or +32 475 63 56 73. Click here for more information about the event.

 

 

Ahmad Joudeh is a dancer and a choreographer from Syria.

 

During the civil war, he encountered not only life-threatening situations, but also threats by extremists, simply because he is a dancer. As a declaration of his determination to keep on dancing, he had the words Dance or Die tattooed on the back of his neck, the spot where the blade would be applied in case of execution.

 

Ahmad Joudeh moved to Amsterdam with the help of Dutch National Ballet in 2016.

 

Learn more about his Dance or Die project: www.ahmadjoudeh.com