Dance4Life Event, Egypt 2006
 Fireworks at the Gizeh Pyramids!
“We, young Egyptians, have a great willingness to change society and make things better, but until now we didn’t have any option for our energy” Mohammed (19)
“Many older people in our country think dancing is sleazy while we can show that it is a pure and beautiful way to express ourselves” Amira (17)
 This report is written by Anna van Praag, the wife of Ilco, co-founder of Dance4Life:
The Pyramids!
In Egypt they're going to dance at the foot of the three enormous pyramids of Giza. It looks amazing, a stage built in the middle of the desert - thank you Dance4Life ambassador Dr. Hawass! The atmosphere is good, and there are young people everywhere in Dance4Life t-shirts and most of the girls are wearing headscarves. There was still the question though if there would be much dancing - dancing in this Islamic country is still a sensitive question.
There are thousands of Egyptian children, and how young they are, and how happy they seem! Some of the youth have made Dance4Life flags, and are waving them about. The lights go on, the music sounds, Dance4Life 2006 has begun.
DJ's, rock groups, traditional Arabic music, they're all here, and the young people are dancing with a purpose, really enjoying themselves and so happy. In the meantime there are short films about the Millenium Development Goals, statements from famous actors and TV personalities, and of course Dr. Hawass, who made a link between the fight against AIDS and the pyramids of Giza (which weren't lit! A quick phonecall or two and the lights come on!). Now and then a camel would go past! The band was amazing - a sort of music I've never heard before, a mix of local, Arabic, and African, and it's really funky - so make a note of their name - Wust el Balad.
At the end of the day it's freezing at the pyramids, but the clean-up operation has started, with all the volunteers singing and dancing whilst doing it.
Heba's dancing. Heba then approaches us, 19 with a Dance4Life t-shirt on and a large white headscarf. She said,"I've never before danced in public. I'm always dancing in my room - I turn the music up really loud and really get into it, because I love dancing so much! And tonight, tonight I've danced for the first time with other people. It was possible, because I felt safe and connected. And that was...indescribable!"
 "Before Dance4Life I was not really happy with my life, but now there’s value, I enjoy much more and I’m even studying better now." Lobna Ahmed (17).
“Dance4Life changed my life completely. And in the future I expect it will change my country” Amr (22)
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