In Abu Qurqas Town, located in Minya Governorate of Upper Egypt, Kyrollos Malak grew up surrounded by local customs and traditions. Despite being part of a society often described as insular and resistant to contemporary dance; Kyrollos pursued his dream of becoming a professional dancer.
In 2025, at the age of 21, Kyrollos began performing contemporary dance at the Performing Arts Center of the Jesuit Association in Minya.
Contemporary dance, known for its expressive movements and openness to new experiences, first emerged in Egypt in 1993. This artistic evolution was spearheaded by Gaber Asfour, then Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Culture, who established a contemporary dance theatre trope within the Egyptian Opera House.
Ballet and contemporary dance techniques diverge significantly, as Kyrollos explains to “Al-Minyawyia.” According to him, the key distinction lies in the relationship with gravity: ballet dancers strive to defy gravity, whereas contemporary dancers embrace and move with it.
Currently a third-year student at the Faculty of Science, Kyrollos remains unwavering in his passion and pursuit of his dream to dance. His family’s encouragement has been a constant of support. “My family always believed that as long as I stayed committed to my studies, I could pursue any hobby I desired.”
The young man honed his contemporary dance techniques through artistic workshops and dedicated himself to developing his skills. In September 2023, he relocated to Cairo to attend the Cairo Contemporary Dance Center, Egypt’s first contemporary dance school. This institution offers a professional training program for aspiring young dancers, choreographers, and dance instructors. Kyrollos successfully graduated from the program last July.
For Kyrollos, dancing is like the air he breathes. “Body movements and expressing issues, problems, and emotions through movements take me to another world,” he said. Through his dedication to dance, Kyrollos has learned many invaluable lessons, with commitment and dedication being among the foremost.
Despite hailing from a somewhat isolated society, Kyrollos found unwavering support from his family, friends, and choreographer Nermin Habib, who was one of the first to teach him contemporary dance at the Jesuit Center. He also deeply appreciates the support from the Jesuit Foundation in Minya.
Among his supporters is the esteemed artist and director Hassan Al-Gretly, Founder of the Al-Warsha Theatre Troupe. They met during an artistic workshop organized in collaboration between the Al-Warsha Troupe and the Jesuit Association in Minya. From that moment, Al-Gretly recognized Kyrollos’s talent and became on of his most ardent supporters.
Despite receiving widespread support, Kyrollos faces significant obstacles, including limited opportunities, the high costs of travel, and the challenge of mastering dance from the ground up. Kyrollos is keenly aware that the pursuit of art demands considerable time and often lacks immediate financial rewards. As he navigates his path, he contemplates two potential avenues: becoming a dance choreographer or continuing as a performer, or perhaps even combining both pursuits.
Three years ago, Kyrollos ventured into dance and choreography. Among his most notable contributions are the documentary film “The Plague,” co-directed by Bishoy Adel Makram and Irish filmmaker Tom Finlay, and the performance “Stories After Sleep.” He also showcased his talents in productions by the “Note” band and the “Breaking Walls” festival.
Kyrollos further expanded his reach by collaborating with international artists, including dancers Fernando Suarez and Georgia Madama from the “Bina Pouch” band, a prominent group in the contemporary dance scene. This collaboration, supported by an artistic grant, facilitated joint performance with Egypt.
It seems history is repeating itself; just a few months ago, Kyrollos returned with insights from dance professionals. His goal is to offer contemporary dance workshops to the children at the Performing Arts Center of the Jesuit Association in Minya, where he also choreographs dances for their performances. Driven by his passion, Kyrollos aspires to continue this journey and dreams of teaching at contemporary dance schools beyond Egypt. He concludes with a heartfelt statement: “I have no ceiling in my dreams regarding dance.”
