Marhaba Rome Festival (International Belly Dance Festival)

An oriental dance festival in the heart of Rome

The Marhaba Rome Festival is the premier international belly dance and oriental dance festival in Central-Southern Italy, based in Rome, in the Lazio region. Born from the experience of the Taus Club Oriental Dance Academy, the event is artistically directed by Maryem Bent Anis, a Tunisian dancer and choreographer who has made the Capital a reference point for Middle Eastern dance in Italy. Every spring, the festival attracts enthusiasts, professionals, and curious visitors from all over the peninsula and abroad, offering a program that weaves together training, performance, and Arab culture.

Dance, music, and Middle Eastern culture

Marhaba is more than just a competition or a series of shows: it is an immersive journey into the art of Raks Sharki and Raks Baladi, the two great souls of oriental dance. Throughout its editions, the festival has hosted international stars of the discipline and showcased live music, with orchestras and bands accompanying performances and workshops. The offerings embrace classical Egyptian dance, Arab folklore, fusion, and contemporary influences, in a continuous dialogue between tradition and research.

Festival offerings

• Workshops and intensive courses with Italian and international masters
• Gala shows featuring soloists, groups, teachers, and students
• Live concerts of Middle Eastern music
• Competitions and talent showcases for professionals and amateurs
• Special events such as costume parades and themed evenings

The 2026 edition: The Television Edition

The 2026 edition, renamed "Marhaba TV Stars — The Television Edition", was held in Rome from April 17 to 19, 2026, with a completely original formula: alongside workshops and gala evenings, the festival brought dancers in front of the cameras of a Roman television studio for an experience designed as a true TV production. The artistic direction remained under Maryem Bent Anis, supported by guest masters who led workshops dedicated to oriental style, drum solos, and Egyptian pop.

Rome, the capital of oriental dance in Italy

Choosing Rome as the home of the festival is no coincidence: the Eternal City offers participants the chance to combine their passion for dance with the discovery of one of the most extraordinary cultural heritages in the world. The Marhaba Rome Festival thus contributes to making the Municipality of Rome and the Lazio region a crossroads for oriental dance in the Mediterranean, capable of attracting an international audience and strengthening the Italian community of belly dance enthusiasts.