(last update: 27. 10. 2002)

You might know your own dance community, read about others in magazines... But do you know what's happening in the Oriental dance scene in Switzerland? To find out, I made lots of investigations, talked to many dancers, searched my way through directories and got a red ear from all that telephoning - and it was real fun!

I received a lot of interesting information and met friendly people. And I also marvelled again and again at what there is to be found in the remotest corners of Switzerland. I organised my knowledge according to regions and if possible the criteria: development of the scene - instruction possibilities - additional services like shows, boutiques etc. - restaurants with dance. For all those of my dear visitors, who know nothing about Swiss geography, here's a small map:

For links and addresses please go to Besides this...

Now let's start!

Zurich

As I am living in Zurich myself, let me start here. In Zurich and surroundings, at least 30 dance teachers can be found. They range from classes at the Migros club school to large studios with several teachers. Thanks to some active organisers there's always something going on: dance shows, workshops, bazaars or seminars.

It is no problem to buy dance accessories. Besides various stores, some studios regularly invite travelling bazaars.

There are also different restaurants which show dancers. There is the Turkish classic, the Taverne Marmara, where you can see 2 dancers on Friday and Saturday evening. Then there are others (see my Restaurants listing), like the Cèdre, a popular Lebanese restaurant.

Basel

Oriental dance is well established here as well. This is where you can find some of the first pioneers of oriental dance in Switzerland like Aischa who is known for her "Stars of Egypt" video series that she did with Hossam Ramzy. Or Beatrice Holm, who has been dancing for over 20 years and founded an association for the development of oriental dance that already has many members.

There is not as much going on, but from time to time a show is held and there's also an Egyptian shop for dance accessories.

There's only one restaurant that features a dancer once a month - others had given up before.

(Thanks to for the information at Sultana, Béatrice Ritter, Beatrice Holm)

Bern

In Bern oriental dance started out in the beginning the 1980ies through Maha Weber, a Lebanese who is still teaching. Meanwhile a considerable choice of classes and workshops has developed. The teachers are not only concentrate in the city but can also be found in the surroundings of Bern. The "heart" of the local scene is the dance studio ISIS, where many teachers work together. The dancers around here are generally friendly and co-operative.

There are two boutiques with dance accessories, although they don't specialise only in this.

There are only few restaurants with dancers, but the monthly Disco Raï + Orientale that features different dancers is very popular.

(Thanks for the information to Mara Bäschlin, Mira von Wattenwyl, Sabine Dombrowsky, Maha Weber)

Central Switzerland

That Area around Lucerne is building up strongly. In the beginning all teachers were coming from the region of Zurich, and only held on a couple of additional classes here. Meanwhile oriental dance is established and there are some local schools. But after reaching a certain level, dancers find that they have to go to Zurich for advanced lessons - an so the (hip) circle closes...

There are workshops and cultural events. But the co-operation between teachers isn't working well. Sometimes workshops have to be cancelled - not because of lack of interest but because information is not passed around. There is however a small association of dancers in Zug, some of the members have been dancing for a long time.

For musical and dance entertainment there is restaurant Casablanca in Hergiswil that has dancers directly from Morocco (but they sometimes also work as waitresses) Besides this there's a dance show on Wednesdays at Château Grütsch in Lucerne.

(Thanks for the information to Heidi Berger, Claudine Leyer, Gianna Koka, Regula Weber)

Eastern Switzerland

The scene is a little scattered, but existing. In the cantons St. Gallen and Thurgau there are courses in various towns. Workshops are slowly coming into fashion, especially in the regional center St. Gallen where you can also find a shop with dance accessories.

Restaurants only engage dancers sporadically and there is the occasional student-performance.

In that mountain canton Graubünden the only teacher is Gerda Scheu. But her about 70 students keep her busy in Vals, Chur and Ilanz.

(Thanks to for the information at Nicole Jindra, Irene Akkus, Khadishe, Gerda Scheu)

Aargau/Solothurn
Not a region where you will find a lot of oriental dance going on. But there are some teachers and the TanzForum in Aarau. Teachers know each other but have little contact. Some of theme also organise workshops and events from time to time. Every 6 weeks there is a popular Oriental disco in Altes Spital, Solothurn. But otherwise dancers typically go to the bigger cities like Zurich or Basel for events.

(Thanks for the information to Rebecca Wildi, Janet Töndury, Gabriela)

Western Switzerland

There aren't so many schools for oriental dance in the French speaking part of Switzerland, most classes can be found in the various Migros club school. And the level of the courses doesn't seem to be very high sometimes. From time to time Leila Haddad is invited over for a Workshop in Geneva or Lausanne.

Geneva is a special case in Switzerland. There is a large Arabic community, and oriental dance seems to have started out quite some time ago here, especially with Arabic teachers.  But the scene is very closed and there is a lot of concurrence, no information is passed on. But the number of teachers is growing and there is a shop for oriental dance accessories.

I would like to mentioning the ateliers d' éthnomusicologie in Geneva. They offer very interesting courses for all possible styles of dances and music from all over the world.

(Thanks to for the information at Cathérine Sidler, Sabine Rafika Moussa, Heidi Müller, Firpouz Houchi-Pillet)

Wallis

One might think that in this remote valley region there isn't much to find? But a few years ago some teachers started their classes and oriental dance is VERY popular now! There are also workshops with local and foreign teachers and the odd show. Classes can be found in Martigny, Brig, Sion and other towns.

(Thanks for the information to Irina Studer, Barbara Meyer, Lina Hleihel)

Tessin

In the rather conservative Tessin oriental dance progresses only very slowly. There are about 5 teachers who also maintain contact to each other but until recently they had problems to find students. Now Antoinette Debrit has her own school close to Lugano.

Teachers go to Italy or Northern Switzerland for education or they invite foreign dancers 2 to 3 times a year for workshops. At least the local television station sometimes reports about oriental dance.

For dance accessories people depend on what others bring back from their vacations in Egypt. Possibilities for performing are rare, but the dancers here are not very keen on performing anyway.

(Thanks to for the information at Maria Rosa Mutti, Antoinette Debrit, Osho Dream, Esmeray)

Conclusion

While dancers in Switzerland used to look North and envy Germany for its vivid dance scene, there's quite something going on around here now. Oriental dance is growing strong in Switzerland and in some regions it's already quite normal to take oriental dance classes.