Ballet and Dance Companies in Israel
Find out everything about dance in Israel, from information on some of the best Israeli companies to dance auditions in Israel.
“You dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams.”
Gene Kelly
Israel & Dance
The state of Israel and ballet have had a long and complicated history. Israel is a country with a strong ballet tradition, as evidenced by the fact that many world-renowned dancers and choreographers hail from there. The first ballet school in Israel was founded in 1948, and since then, the country has produced many great ballet dancers.
However, the relationship between Israel and ballet has not always been smooth. In the early years of the state, ballet was seen as a symbol of elitism and foreignness, and many Israelis were suspicious of it. This attitude began to change in the 1960s, when Israeli choreographers began to experiment with incorporating elements of folk dance and other local genres into their work. This new, more accessible style of ballet proved to be very popular with Israeli audiences, and helped to increase the popularity of the art form in the country.
Today, ballet is an important part of Israeli culture, and the country is home to many world-renowned dance companies and schools. Israeli dancers and choreographers are highly respected in the international dance community, and the country continues to exert a significant influence on the world of ballet.
The Israel Ballet has been a world leader in the development and performance of ballet for over 50 years. The company has been at the forefront of innovative choreography and has produced some of the world’s most respected dancers. The company has also been a major force in the popularization of ballet, bringing the art form to new audiences around the world.
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Did you know that…?
Israeli folk dancing ( Hebrew: עִבְרִית רְקָעָה עַל מַחֲלֹון, Ivrit reqqā’āh al mahalon) is a form of dance usually performed to folk music and songs. Israeli folk dances include circle, line and couple dances.
Israeli folk dancing has its roots in many cultures: European, Asian and African. It began to develop in its current form in the Land of Israel in the years before and after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.
The early pioneers of Israel brought with them their own folk dances from Europe, which they danced at their holidays and festivals. They also absorbed the traditional dances of the local Arab population, as well as those of the Mizrahi Jews (Jews from Arab countries).
In the early years of the state, Israeli folk dancing was taught in the schools and army, and became popular at Zionist youth movements and camps. It was also used as a means of cultural diplomacy, appearing at international events such as the World Youth Festival in Warsaw in 1955.
Today, Israeli folk dancing is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds in Israel and around the world.
