"Raks Sharqi" is translated “ The Oriental dance”, that is usually named “Belly dance”. This term includes all the Middle East dances, but more often it is used to specify the expressive and fine style of the classic Eastern dance. Raks Sharqi is the most elegant presentation of the Middle East dances. This style’s danced in the whole of the Middle East, but especially in Egypt, The Lebanon, Syria, Turkey.
Usually Raks Sharqi is performed by one dancer, who often improvises. The movements of body are very expressive. A dancer dances often on her toes , her composer is straight and the movements of arms are very harmonic and systematized.
Two styles (Ghawasee and Baladi) had the biggest influence on the development of Raks Sharqi. Ghawasee was a popular dance in North Egypt and, supposedly, the motherland of it was India.
In a repertoire of a dancer you can find a composition, which is named “Mechance” ( or “Entrée”) (this term has a French origin, but it is widely used on the East). “Mechance” is a “visiting card” of a dancer and it includes different rhythms of folklore styles. As usual two rhythms are used: for example: Saidi and Haligi.

The difference in interpretation of different countries.

In dependence of the country, where it is performed, the style of Raks Sharqi has its characteristic technical of performance.
The Lebanon style. The movements differ from the egyptian style by having great expression, particularly the movements of ankles. The using of muscles of diaphragm and dancing on a floor is used. In the Lebanon graceful dancers are preferred. The temperament is expressed more in the Lebanon dance, and the music is more dynamic.
The Turkey style is called “Oriental Tansi”. The main difference is in a volume of movements. The egyptian dancers move discreetly during the dance, but the movements of turkish dancers are fervent. This style is very energetic and it includes even the acrobatic elements. The dancers often dance on the floor, it was forbidden in Egypt and soon last its popularity.
Naturally, music has a great influence on the dance. In the Turkish and the Lebanon styles, Raks Sharqi are used the same instruments as in Egypt with the only difference: the rhythm.
The costume of turkish dancers is differed from the costume of egyptian dancers. The skirts of Turkish “bedla” are dressed above than the Egyptian skirts and lateral incisions are used more often. In that manner legs of a dancer are visible completely. High- heeled shoes are more used, than in Egypt too.