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Join Our "Bridges Through Dance" Project

Date: 21 Apr 2025
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Meet Mar Decena

Mar Decena – Bridging Cultures Through Dance

A passionate dancer, Mar brings over 20 years of expertise in Middle Eastern dance to Northern Ireland, where she is dedicated to promoting Arabic culture through dance and music. Originally from Mexico, a country known as a hub for Middle Eastern dance outside the Arab world, she has been deeply influenced by its rich fusion of movement traditions.

She has trained extensively under Egyptian masters and some of the world’s most recognised instructors, refining her skills in Bellydance, Saidi, and Dabke. Her specialty lies in fluid movements in chains and the art of improvisation, allowing dancers to move with seamless grace and deep musicality. Her dedication to the art form was recognised when she earned the title of Miss Bellydance Dublin, bringing her artistry to new audiences across Ireland.

Mar was awarded the National Lottery Minority Ethnic Artists Mentoring & Residency Programme (SIAP) from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, supporting her project "Bridges Through Dance". Hosted at The MAC in Belfast, this initiative fosters community, integration, and cultural exchange, using dance as a tool to connect diverse backgrounds and celebrate the heritage of Middle Eastern traditions.

Her engaging and immersive workshops offer dancers a unique opportunity to refine their technique while working with live music from a darbuka player, experiencing the rhythms and essence of Middle Eastern dance firsthand. Her approach is intuitive, precise, and deeply rooted in culture, making her sessions both technically enriching and creatively inspiring.

Mar welcomes dancers of all backgrounds to step into this journey—one that bridges cultures, builds confidence, and unlocks the beauty of movement through the true essence of Middle Eastern dance.

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