Anna Rimbotti

Anna has been teaching and performing Egyptian dance since the late 1980s.  She studied with Suraya Hilal from 1985-90 and in 1990 founded a study group for classical Egyptian dance. Since 1998 she has been an Associate of the Raqs Sharqi Society and in 2000 the Center Fonun was established in Florence under her artistic direction. Anna is well known for her pioneering male group, which she has taught since 1997.

Anna’s musical knowledge and practice underpin her work. After training as a classical pianist she later studied Dhrupad sacred music in New Delhi with the celebrated Master Faridduddin Dagar. She has collaborated with Mohammed Murad of the Musicians of the Nile in numerous dance workshops in Italy and France.

Anna has a deep interest in the cultural and spiritual aspects of dance. Her recent research into Sufi traditions and sacred or trance dances also influences her teaching approach, which aims to deepen the physical and spiritual experience of dance. Anna says:

‘As we age, our bodies become more and more fragile and vulnerable, like an old suit of armour that gets worn out in places. But our spirit, as an essence of everlasting life, shines through the damage as we dance.’