Ahmad Joudeh
on Dancing for Hope as a Stateless Refugee
Dance or Die.
There has never been another option for Ahmad Joudeh. “Happiness, freedom, power and life - that's dance to me. When I dance, I sweat all my tears and come alive again”.
Born “stateless” in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, Ahmad discovered his purpose and the most profound connection during a school performance of Swan Lake: “I couldn’t help but move with the ballet dancers. I wanted to feel that feeling all the time. Dancing alone in secret gave me peace and grace.”
It was a life-defining moment that made him see the body as the human’s most precious instrument, a way you can “make music with”. At 16, entirely self-taught, Ahmad auditioned for Enana Dance Theater, Syria’s main ballet company, where he trained in ballet, gymnastics, and modern dance. His mother lovingly supported his passion, but his father disapproved so strongly that he left the family.
As his career blossomed, extremists started threatening his life, especially for being a queer artist. In defiance, bold Ahmad tattooed Dance or Die on the back of his neck, where a blade might fall in execution: “It was my response to their hatred. Giving up dance was not an option. I chose Indian script to honour Shiva, the dancing god.”
The Syrian Civil War shattered his world. A bomb destroyed Ahmad's home, and his loved ones were lost to the violence. Dance became his weapon of hope, and holding workshops for children with Down syndrome and war orphans in SOS Children's Villages International turned into a mission: “I wanted them to feel like artists. When you create, you can live in a different world, no matter your situation. I saw their souls find joy.”
A video of Ahmad dancing on a Damascus rooftop amid ruins captured global attention after Dutch journalist Roozbeh Kaboly’s Emmy-winning documentary. It led to an invitation to join the Dutch National Opera & Ballet, and moving to Amsterdam became his rebirth. Yet, his refugee status remained a painful aspect: “What does it mean to be stateless? I was born in Syria. I lived my whole life there. How can I not have a country?”
Today, Ahmad is an author, speaker, the Artistic Director of the Dance or Die Foundation, a UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency high-profile supporter, and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader advocating for the struggles of all refugees and stateless out there: “You could be a refugee tomorrow. Any of us could! I want to be a voice for the voiceless, inspire hope and show that believing in yourself can lead to change!”
Read Ahmad Joudeh’s answers for Inspirators and be touched by his warm advice to his younger self: “Keep believing. Open your eyes, close your years, and hang on. Your dream will come true!”
Thank you, Ahmad, for being a Hopeful Dancer!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Ahmad Joudeh
Company / Institution: Dance or Die Foundation; Joudeh Dance Production
Title: Dancer, Ballet Master, Young Global Leader, Speaker, Author
Website: ahmadjoudeh.com
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmad-joudeh-a4161a80?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Country of origin: I was born as a stateless refugee in Syria.
Country you currently live in: The Netherlands/ United States
Your definition of Regeneration: Finding new ideas by going back to my roots.
Main business challenge you face: I think Art and culture are not supported enough by governments and that is limiting creationism.
Main driver that keeps you going: Dance or die! It might sound harsh but for me, it’s been a reality most of my life while living in Syria during the war. That is when I learned that there is no other choice but to dance!
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: Determination.
The trait you most value in others: Empathy.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: Dance is my passion! I find joy in children’s happiness! I love teaching children to dance and watching flowers blossom.
The Inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path:
My mother
Roberto Bolle (an Italian dancer I look up to who became a friend)
My Arabic culture and Middle Eastern music.
A starting point for companies or professionals that are beginning the regeneration journey: Look within your heart and find what makes you unique! Bring it out into the world and be proud of it.
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you: The stereotypes spread worldwide about refugees. For example, someone once asked me: “How could you become a professional dancer as a refugee?” Well, remember that refugees are also humans and we deserve opportunities and education, too!
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope:
This time will pass! Good or bad, it will pass. When you feel hopeless, honour your feelings. Let them be, listen to them and see what they want to teach you. After that, let them go peacefully. Start again, but this time with keeping the lesson in mind, and keep doing that until you reach your goals because there is a lesson in every single thing that happens to us: happiness or sadness, success or failure, peace or war. It is all out there to teach us and build the person we are today.
Books that had a great impact on you / Must-Reads for any regenerative professional:
Elif Shafak - The 40 Rules of Love
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: Middle Eastern music.
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: Istanbul and the river in Missoula; Montana, USA.
Global Regenerative Voices you recommend us to follow: Any peace activists!
Trends in Regeneration we should keep an eye on: Peace.
Events we should attend / Best places for networking (online or offline): World Economic Forum.
Impactful and relevant Sustainable Development or Regeneration courses or certifications:
I did an educational module at Virginia University with the World Economic Forum about Leadership in diversity and inclusion. It was amazing and I recommend it!
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: People are becoming more aware and educated about accepting each other and opening their minds to change, freedom and understanding.
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: All the wars and the dictators who are still leading the world.
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today: Empathy, forgiveness, compassion, understanding, freedom.
The Inspirator(s) you are endorsing for a future edition:
Every true artist is an inspiration to me!
The quote that inspires you:
“The opposite of war is not peace. It is creation.“ (Jonathan Larson)
Your quote that will inspire us:
