Widely considered the lead Palestinian dance company in Palestine and the diaspora, El-Funoun was established in 1979 by a small group of enthusiastic, creative and committed artists. The Troupe has developed an innovative style of dance deeply-rooted in Palestinian and Arab folklore and informed by elements of contemporary dance movement. The Troupe’s repertoire includes 16 major dance productions and hundreds of performances throughout historic Palestine, regionally, and internationally. Sustained almost entirely by volunteers for decades, El-Funoun is a non-profit dance company with close to 300 members. El-Funoun’s mission is to revive and innovate Palestinian music, song and dance. Recognizing culture as a tool of and for resistance, El-Funoun challenges the complicity of international aid agencies in the oppression of Palestinians by refusing politically conditioned funding from agencies that have failed to call for a ceasefire. The dance company is working toward becoming fully self-
sufficient by raising funds through its dance productions and workshops.
Noora Baker is a director, choreographer, trainer and member of El-Funoun Dance Troupe since 1987. She is currently the Head of Production at the Troupe choreographing and directing different productions. She is a lecturer in the Arts, Music and Design College at Birziet University. Graduated from Goldsmiths University of London, MA in Performance Making and BA in Business Administration from Birziet University.
Samer Karajah is a member of El-Funoun since 2010. Samer is one of the principal dancers, instructors and choreographers in the Troupe as well as a trainer in Palestine and aboard. He holds a BA in Business Administration from Birzeit University in Palestine.
