a cultural dance organisation engaging minds and linking territories of action, thought, and creation.
about
Maqamat has played a major role in shaping and establishing a contemporary dance scene in Lebanon, while developing a strong international presence through the creation and touring of its works in major festivals and cultural venues worldwide. Its activities have had a significant impact on the cultural landscape locally and across the Arab region. Today, the company is based between Beirut and Lyon, maintaining an active presence in both cities while continuing its projects in Lebanon and expanding its reach across Europe and the Mediterranean.
background
Maqamat was founded by Omar Rajeh in Beirut in 2002 as a contemporary dance company. In a short period of time, the company expanded beyond artistic creation to develop major dance initiatives, while continuously producing and touring its performances internationally. Known as Maqamat Beit El Raqs (Dancehouse), it played a central role in establishing and shaping the contemporary dance scene in Lebanon and the region. It initiated key projects such as BIPOD – Beirut International Platform of Dance (2004); Takween, an intensive dance training program (2009); Moultaqa Leymoun, a platform supporting emerging and established artists (2009); and co-founded the Masahat Dance Network (2006).
In 2017, Maqamat realized one of its most ambitious projects with the creation of Citerne Beirut, an innovative cultural space and one of a kind in Lebanon. The space was forced to close following the political and economic turmoil that struck the country in 2019.
Today, Maqamat is based between Beirut and Lyon, maintaining an active presence in both cities. In 2020, it launched, with several cultural partners, the digital platform Citerne.live—an ambitious project inspired by the closure of Citerne Beirut, and continuing its exploration of new performance spaces and digital forms of dance creation.
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support maqamat
Whether you are a company or an individual, your support is essential to us. By joining us , you allow dance artists and projects to happen. Your support can make a difference in many ways:
BIPOD 1/ to support the visibility of lebanese dancers and choreographers 2/ to support the presence of international dance companies in Lebanon 3/ to support operational costs for the festival
citerne.live 1/to support an inititiative that allows the presence of dance online 2/ to contribute in the visibility of artists worldwide 3/ to allow aufiences around teh world to haev access to dance 4/ to contribute to the circulation and empowering of dance artsits and a danec community online.
the dance company 1/to support the general development of the company 2/ to contribute in the making of Maqamat’s dance performances 3/ to contribute to the visibility and touring of the company in Lebanon and internationally.
in kind contributions all inkind contributions are welcome 1/ volunteering ushers 2/lunch vouchers 3/ offered services ( printing/ equipments/ translations/ designs/ production/ press / photography/ filming…)