A six-day festival, the first of its kind in Cyprus, really encourages participants to let their hair down. ELENI PHILIPPOU finds out more

Dance until you drop, dance until all tension is lost, dance into a trance state. Movement has a healing effect, releasing stress and waking up the body. Away from the rigidity of strict dance moves comes a concept that is all about freedom and connection. Ecstatic Dance is more about feeling and connecting within, than pointing your toes and holding your back straight. And an international Ecstatic Dance Festival is coming to Cyprus for the first time this autumn.

feature2 nadineNadine Ruiter, originally from The Netherlands, has been organising Ecstatic Dance Festivals for five years around Europe although the foundations began in the jungles of Thailand. Following a deep introspective journey, Nadine quit her job at 25 to become a certified breath coach leading workshops in several countries, including Cyprus. At one such event in Greece she met DJ and producer Kareem Raihani, who invited her to join his conscious club nights in Amsterdam. After two years of hosting the events, Nadine and Kareem launched their Ecstatic Dance Festival, welcoming crowds in Corfu. This October, they are bringing the collective energy of Ecstatic Dance to Cyprus.

“The first time I came to Cyprus was in 2012 as a holiday representative and I fell in love with the island,” Nadine told the Cyprus Mail. Enchanted by the island of Aphrodite, she and her partner moved here but when the first lockdown hit in 2020 they left briefly for Copenhagen. Yet island life called them back and now they have once again made Paphos their home.

Paphos will host the October 9-14 festival and yes, it will be a six-day event! “Although it’s called a festival,” Nadine admits, “it feels more like a retreat. Our events will always stay intimate, you can come alone but leave with friends from all over the world.”

Held at Val’s Place, the festival will have numerous activities throughout the day and, of course, numerous ecstatic dance parties. “We have put together an exciting and international line-up,” added Nadine, “of course Ecstatic Dance is the pillar of the event and on the programme every day. We start our day with a gentle movement class like yoga, qigong and meditation. In the morning our programme offers different movement classes that are playful and accessible for all levels.

feature2 3“We enjoy a delicious breakfast and lunch buffet together in between classes,” she said, prepared by Val’s Place, which offers traditional meals with home-grown vegetables from their land. In the afternoons, participants can enjoy breathwork class, drum circle, yoga, authentic relating and a nature hike. “In the evenings we dance and in the middle of the week we have a live concert.” The full line-up and program can be viewed on the event’s website.

But what does Ecstatic Dance actually mean? Typically, people gather and freestyle dance to music, the freer the better, there are no rules on how to move. “You enter the dance-floor barefoot, close your eyes if you like and let the music guide you, dancing alone or with others. There is no talking during an Ecstatic Dance journey which lasts about two hours. No alcohol, no drugs, just natural ecstasy!” Then the events are often followed by a Sound Healing Journey to cool down.

The €399 six-day pass, though it includes access to all of the workshops, breakfast and lunch, is something to consider. Wanting to make it accessible to all, the festival has recently also launched a special three-day pass for locals who are perhaps not so acquainted with festivals of this scale. Including breakfast and lunch, the local pass is €220 and can be accessed by emailing [email protected]. In addition, the evenings of October 10-14 will be open for the public to attend to get a taste of the festival. From 8pm to 10pm, visitors will be able to get €20 tickets at the door.

Visitors can apply for a discount and email the festival if they are financially challenged.

“Cyprus brought me many gifts over the years,” concluded Nadine, “and I am excited to bring people to this island as well as bring the island this beautiful event for people to enjoy.”

Ecstatic Dance Festival

Six-day festival with yoga, workshops, concerts, DJs and ecstatic dance. October 7-14. Val’s Place, Gialia. www.ecstaticdancefestival.org. Facebook event: Ecstatic Dance Festival Cyprus