“[Omar Rajeh] makes contemporary dance a force of proposal in present-day Lebanon.”

— Thomas Hahn, DANCE, 2018

Omar Rajeh, founder and Artistic Director of Maqamat Beit El Raqs (2002) and BIPOD, Beirut International Platform of Dance (2004). A critically acclaimed choreographer and dancer, and a leading figure of the contemporary dance scene in Lebanon and the Arab world. He was distinguished by the French Ministry of Culture ‘for his contribution and engagement in the service of Culture’ with the title of ‘Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters)

Created more than twenty dance performances that were presented at major International festivals and venues across the globe, such as, the Bolshoi theatre festival, Romaeuropa festival, Edinburgh International Festival,,Julidans,  and Athens festival to name a few.

 He holds a BA in Theatre Studies from the Lebanese University and an MA in Dance Studies from the University of Surrey in the UK. He is the co-founder of Masahat Dance Network which is a regional contemporary dance network across Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Jordan. This ambitious regional connection was further extended into the MOULTAQA LEYMOUN platform, which Rajeh created to provide the space and opportunity for young and established Arab artists to showcase and develop their work.

* In March 2022, Omar Rajeh and Mia Habis were on the short list of candidates for the Maison/ Biennale/ Ateliers de La Danse.

*In December 2022, Omar Rajeh and Mia Habis were short-listed candidates for the directorship of the Nuits de Fourvière festival in Lyon