Tanzfabrik
Berlin
School
School

27.12.2026—30.12.2026

Mahraganat Dance

Workshop
with Islam Elarabi
Registration
Venue:
Kreuzberg 4
Möckernstr. 68
10965 Berlin
Dates:
Info:
Level: with movement experience
in English
Price exclusively for BIPoC: Sliding scale: 170€/ 140€, Early Bird*: 140€/ 110€
Price for everyone else: 220/ 190€*
*Early bird until 06.12.26
In the event of cancellation, the terms and conditions of our website apply. 

Description

This workshop invites participants to explore the Egyptian street dance - Mahraganat - led by Egyptian dancer and choreographer Islam Elarabi. Through the expressive physical vocabulary of Mahraganat dance, the workshop delves into its culture and collective energy, born from the streets and working-class neighborhoods of Cairo. This form transforms lived experience into rhythm and movement, turning everyday struggle and joy into a shared physical language. Throughout the workshop, participants will work with breath and sound as a source of energy and direction, using the body's own rhythms to fuel movement. We will explore Mahraganat's footwork, gestures, and storytelling through movement, tracing how each gesture carries meaning rooted in daily life. Through a combination of structured exercises and improvisational tasks, participants will be encouraged to find their own personal way within this form. 
Accessibility, Content Note & Sensory Stimulations
This workshop is taught in English only. Participants explore Mahraganat vocabulary - its street origins, meanings, and expressive use - through breath, rhythm, sounds and footwork. Please note: much of the vocabulary is inspired by street fighting, with gestures referencing knife use - performed symbolically, not literally. The pace is physically intense, and prior movement experience is expected. Cues are given both verbally and through demonstration; there is no physical contact between participants. Information about our location & studio access in Kreuzberg, which unfortunately are not wheelchair accessible, can be found on our website. We offer a solidarity discount (workshop spots at a reduced price) for people living in financially precarious situations, including people from crisis areas, BIPoC, trans*, queer and disabled people. For questions or further information, please contact Zoé Duflot at workshop@tanzfabrik-berlin.de. 
Biographies

Islam Elarabi

Islam Elarabi is an Egyptian dancer, choreographer, and instructor whose work connects Mahraganat with contemporary dance. He graduated from the Cairo Contemporary Dance Center, and was teaching there for four years before moving to Berlin. He is now pursuing a Master's in Solo Dance Authorship (SODA) at HZT Berlin. His work has been shown internationally, including residencies and performances in Berlin, Prague, and the Festival d'Avignon. Mahraganat is the main language of expression in three of his works: his solo Just One Tile, which premiered at the Zürcher Theater Spektakel and received the ZKB Acknowledgement Prize; his duet Pleine Lune, premiered at Festival de Marseille 2026; and Knife Hearts, premiered at Uferstudios Berlin 2026. His teaching is rooted in resistance through movement, embodying anger, joy, sadness, and grief rather than symbolizing them.