Life of the Rose “Hayet el Ward” : Esraa Warda ft. Hayet Amar

“Hayet el Ward: Life of the Rose” is an evocative dance concert featuring two Algerian powerhouse dancers, Esraa Warda and esteemed guest Hayet Amar. Rooted in indigenous movement traditions, this fusion of talents symbolizes North African artistry through the metaphor of the rose. A rose (el ward) – often seen as a mere symbol of passion or eroticism, plucked from a garden or artificially altered – is redefined as a symbol of thorny resilience, tenacity, and devotion to North African feminine identity.

About the artists:

Esraa Warda, a prominent Algerian-American dance artist in New York, explores socio-cultural themes in traditional Algerian dance. Catch her on PBS’s Bare Feet and NPR’s Tiny Desk with Bnat el Houariyat. Warda’s work has been lauded by the New York Times, VOGUE Arabia, The Metric, and she was a BBC 100 Women nominee in 2022. www.esraawarda.com @wardadance
Hayet Amar, Algerian Kabyle dance artist, started her journey as a dancer and percussionist in her childhood guided by her grandmother’s wisdom and community gatherings. As both performer and teacher, she passionately advocates for Algerian dance’s rightful place on the global stage. Her career began in Normandy, where she taught and performed at the Couleurs d’Afrique Festival,  and continued her practice at the Maghreb Dance Congress in Morocco, and was a honorary guest at the  “Un Seul Héros Le Peuple” Algerian activist festival organized by Esraa Warda.