In the late 2000s, the Al Asala Dabke group was formed in London, Ontario. Al Asala, is an Arabic word that translates to "authenticity" in English, which is exactly what Al Asala dabke represents, and more! Al Asala is a dynamic group of young people who infuse authentic Palestinian folkloric dance with Canadian influences for a largely digital audience. Through their creativity and media savvy, they have created an huge platform for themselves across Canada, North America, and worldwide. Their energetic videos showing off Palestinian dance steps at weddings and other events– have won them fans in the hundreds of thousands around the world. Today, two members of Al Asala, Omar Hassouneh and Wassef Yasin, join us to talk about their experiences with Al Asala, and their broader vision for this vibrant dance troupe.
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