ISRAEL: Israeli pensioner swaps the bridge table for the dance floor by taking up the traditionally female pastime of belly-dancing

Record ID: 187119

  • Title: ISRAEL: Israeli pensioner swaps the bridge table for the dance floor by taking up the traditionally female pastime of belly-dancing
  • Date: 17th January 2012
  • Summary: NAZARETH ILLIT, ISRAEL (JANUARY 11, 2012) (REUTERS) SEVENTY-YEAR-OLD ORI BARAK ENTERING STUDIO IN BELLY DANCING OUTFIT
  • Embargoed: 1st February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel, Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVACJKAFNICIIEQ5MZLCSXCYDR07
  • Story Text: While many of his generation are having hip replacements, 76-year old Ori Barak practices the "hip-drop," the "shimmy" and other belly-dancing moves regularly at his local gym.
    The elderly Jewish Israeli man took up belly dancing a few years ago, and ever since has become a bit of a celebrity in the northern Israeli town of Nazareth Illit.
    Born in Argentina, Barak immigrated to Israel in 1956 and worked as a X-Ray technician until his retirement at the age of 65.
    A fan of the art of dance, Barak learnt tango as a young man in Argentina and also participated in an Israeli folk-dancing class. Seven years ago when he heard a belly dancing course had opened up in his local gym, Barak didn't hesitate and was the first to sign up. Ever since, the pensioner has practised his "figure-eight" movements and "hip undulations" three times a week.
    Barak is not only the oldest in his troupe but also the only male.
    "The whole thing is about the image belly dancing has, that it for women only. And if you start to belly dance, meanwhile people say you are a bit feminine. And I am not feminine at all. But there are people who think this," Barak told Reuters television during a break from practice.
    "Dancing is a love, like people love to read, like people love all other kind of things. I relate to dancing very much," Barak said, adding that dance is a great way to keep the lower back flexible.
    A father of two boys, Barak says his family supports his hobby, coming to all his shows. In December, the belly dancing troupe performed in front of hundreds of Nazareth Illit residents. Among them was the town's mayor who complimented him personally.
    Female participants in the belly dancing troupe have got used to Barak and the media crews following him to class. His instructor, Lital Dorchin, says that while some women feel uncomfortable dancing in the presence of a man, Barak has been a part of the troupe since it was established and is an integral part of it both artistically and socially.
    "He is an amazing and brave person and he is an inspiration for me and the group in whole," Dorchin said, adding: "He is our mascot."
    Between belly dancing, volunteering in a nearby hospital, and participating in Tai-Chi, folk-dancing, Feldenkrais movement and Pilates sessions, Barak is one of the busiest pensioners in the area.
    "They started a Latin dancing class here. I would love to join it but I just don't have the free time," he said.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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