Islam El-Araby, Egyptian dancer, choreographer, and instructor, took part in a one-month residency at Studio ALTA, cultural centre in Prague, Czechia between March 25 and April 24, 2025. During his stay, he further developed his dance piece „Just One Tile“, which blends Mahraganat—an Egyptian street dance style—with contemporary movement practices to explore themes of identity, resilience, and cultural pride. 

 This one-month artistic residency, supported by ALFinMotion, included dedicated time for research, rehearsals, and conceptual development, culminating in a public work-in-progress event, followed by an audience feedback session. Islam's work-in-progress was a part of CROSSINGS: Performing Arts of the Middle East, organized by Studio ALTA  on 19 April 2025. 

Islam also led a well-attended workshop focused on street dance and its connection to public space, inviting participants to reflect on cultural expression in urban contexts.

Beyond the formal program, Islam engaged with a broad network of local and international artists, curators, and audiences through Studio ALTA’s vibrant community. An unexpected highlight was his invitation to participate in ArabFest, another member of Czech ALF network, where he further shared his practice and expanded his professional network. The residency not only advanced his artistic work but also cultivated meaningful intercultural dialogue, strengthening ties between the Egyptian and Czech cultural scenes and positioning Islam more firmly within the European performing arts landscape.

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