JEDDAH: In line with the artistic awakening that Saudi Arabia is experiencing, the Italian business group IBG put on a breathtaking dance show which enchanted an audience on Sunday night.
“Omnia Vincit Amor” (in English, love conquers all) is a contemporary ballet by Keyhole Dance Project, a contemporary dance company from Padova, Italy, which took place at the Italian Cultural Center.
Staged in collaboration with the Cultural Center and the patronage of the Italian Consulate, “Omnia Vincit Amor” tells a story about love and includes a lot of classical references and passionate emotions.
Before the show Elizabitta Martini, Consul General of Italy in Jeddah, said: “Entertainment is the new industry in Saudi Arabia and it is where more Italian events can contribute. We are glad the IBG is promoting such an event to strengthen Saudi-Italian ties.”
The show combined the strong but controlled legwork of ballet with a modern style that emphasizes the torso. Unpredictable changes in rhythm, speed, and direction were often used as well.
Jumana Rajab, a VIP relationship executive in the audience, told Arab News: “I’m glad we’ve started to introduce this concept of fun and dance, and I can’t wait to see more similar events as it is a chance to tell people that art has great meaning.”
Noha Yousif, who works in PR and was also in the audience, told Arab News: “I am so happy to have such a show in Jeddah as when I was younger I used to dance ballet. It is an iconic moment for me to witness this art and this change coming to Saudi Arabia.”
Keyhole Dance Project was founded in 2015 by Matteo Zamperin after a journey in the Middle East. They performed earlier this month at the Italian embassy in Riyadh.
Different types of choreography were used in different pieces throughout the show, such as Stones choreography, which was created in Budapest for the Hungarian National Ballet dancers, and Gestalt choreography, which comes from a school of thought that suggests that we perceive objects as part of a greater whole and as elements of more complex systems.
Sponsors of the event were the Italian Consulate in Jeddah, Sharbatly Fruit, Unifood, End Consumer, Assila Hotel, Silver Spoon and KH Morgan. Media Sponsors were Destination Jeddah, Arab News, Alam Arrajol and Design Magazine.