SPAIN: Oriental Dance Company ‘Sahara’ recently organized a show named ‘El Pintor de Oriente’ (trans. The Painter of the Orient) in the Salesianos de Estrecho Theater in Madrid at 19:00 on May 19.
Renowned international dancer Sahra Ardah, the founder of Sahara, served as the artistic director and lead dancer for the show. Accompanying her were esteemed dancers Richard Quintana from Colombia and Arnaldo Iasorli from Brazil, who also contributed their remarkable talents to the production.
Sahara is a company specializing in Oriental dance and Arab folklore, dedicated to the creation and production of shows. Sahra Ardah was the one who founded it in 2010.
‘El Pintor de Oriente’ (trans. The Painter of the Orient) is a comprehensive production that aims to bring the general public closer to oriental culture through music, theater, painting, and dance.
The show transports audiences to the enchanting world of oriental culture
The story revolves around the 19th-century fascination with Egyptology, particularly Napoleon Bonaparte’s campaign in Egypt in 1798, which made the Orient known and admired by the public. This fascination inspired painters such as Delacroix, Étienne Dinet, and Gustave Guillau to travel to Islamic countries, attracted by the exoticism and mystery depicted in literary works of the time, such as Washington Irving’s “Tales of the Alhambra,” Théophile Gautier’s “The Mummy’s Novel,” or Victor Hugo’s “The Orientals.”
The story takes place in this context, delving into the timeless concept of romantic love. The love triangle between the Painter, the Orient, and her husband will confront us and make us reflect on how passions cloud our judgement and how values like honesty, loyalty, and commitment are the only path to true love.
María’s scenic paintings transform the show into a living art experience
The collaboration with the Salamanca painter, María José Sardón, the author of the projected paintings used as scenography, which can be admired in the exhibition hall, allows the audience to embark on a conceptual journey before and after the dance performance.
The snapshots of customary and stereotypical scenes from the distant Orient, where the story of the Painter and the Orient unfolds, will come to life, transforming into sequential and three-dimensional art on the theatre stage, fulfilling the audience’s expectations as they observe the pictorial display.
About Sahara
Their work is focused on two fundamental goals: promoting and disseminating Oriental dance and Arab culture and providing comprehensive and high-quality training to dancers.
Currently, the cast consists of 12 talented young dancers who receive regular training under Sahra Ardah’s guidance, ensuring the group’s quality and professionalism.
Since its inception, Sahara has participated in numerous performances throughout Spain, Italy, Egypt, and France. They intend to convey the essence of traditional Arab dances through a contemporary vision while preserving their original spirit.
They actively take part in various charitable causes as part of their commitment to raising awareness.
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