Göteborgs Konserthus Lucia Oriental 2026

Information from Arabesque Academy:

Celebrate Lucia with a dance performance! Lucia Oriental is a performance celebrating Oriental Dance, where tradition meets contemporary expression. Powerful Arabic folklore meet elegant belly dance solos in an evening exploring the rhythms and dance traditions of the Middle East.
This year, we welcome award-winning Iraqi-Swedish dance artist and choreographer Mohanned Hawaz together with his company, Enkidu Folklore Arts Group. Through his international work and with support from the Iraqi Ministry of Culture, Mohanned works to preserve and develop Iraq’s dance traditions. The company has performed in more than 30 countries. In 2014, Enkidu received an award at an international dance festival in Shanghai, and in 2023, the company represented Iraq in a performance at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
Together with the evening’s other artists and invited dance companies, Mohanned and Enkidu contribute to a programme that reflects the width and artistic diversity of Oriental Dance.

Student showcase before the performance

On the same evening as Lucia Oriental, Arabesque Academy presents a student showcase featuring work developed by the school’s students throughout the term. In addition to Oriental Dance, the programme includes dabke, creative therapeutic dance, flamenco and Turkish-Romani dance, all part of the school’s dance programme.
Your Lucia Oriental ticket also gives you the opportunity to attend the student showcase, which starts at 6:30 PM. The showcase ends at 7:30 PM, followed by a new audience admission for Lucia Oriental. You can choose to attend Lucia Oriental only or enjoy both performances during the evening.

The Lucia Oriental festival

Lucia Oriental is also a festival featuring guest teachers and workshops. The festival was founded in 2003 by Martina von Schwerin and has since become a unique meeting place for Oriental dance in Sweden.
The festival is organised by Arabesque Academy, led by Martina von Schwerin, which has been a central part of Gothenburg’s Oriental dance scene for more than 20 years. Martina has organised numerous festivals and performances in Gothenburg and has performed internationally in countries across Europe, as well as in Egypt, Jordan, India, China and Japan.

By highlighting the different styles and traditions within Oriental dance, Lucia Oriental creates a stage where artistic diversity can flourish and connect with audiences.

Come and discover the many expressions of Oriental Dance. Welcome