Edition Five · 7–9 May 2027
Three days of Indian dance in Ghent.
Workshops, a gala showcase and an opening party.
It is Kalbeliya from the desert of Rajasthan. Chhau from the tribal heartlands of Odisha. Lavani from Maharashtra. Kuthu from Tamil Nadu. Giddha from Punjab — each with its own history, its own community, its own way of moving through the world.
Every May, GIDF brings these traditions to Ghent — not as performance alone, but as experience. You learn from teachers who carry these forms in their bodies. You dance, you watch, you celebrate with a live band until late.
Three days. Master teachers from across India.
Curated by Swapnil Dagliya · Organised by ABC a bollywood company
Shoonya Dance Centre, Ghent · Photography Stijn Dejonckheere
Ghent’s annual festival of Indian dance, since 2023. Workshops, showcases and an opening party.
“Gent India Dans Festival has always been about creating a space for Indian dance that feels thoughtful, grounded, and honest.”
Edition Four · The year music arrived
For the first time, live music was on the festival stage — tabla on the workshop floor and a live band at the opening party. A new four-hour deep-dive format joined the weekend.
Edition Three · The year of joy
The first community class opened the festival up to new people. A year of choosing essence over trend — the community class stayed; the competitions didn’t. And Shampa, kept away by a visa the year before, finally taught.
Edition Two · The growth year
A precision form rarely taught in Belgium joined the line-up. The year the festival aimed deeper, not just wider — and learned its first lessons in international logistics.
Edition One · Inaugural
From Bharatanatyam to BollyHop, from Bhangra to Kathak — the festival’s proposition, made on day one: Indian dance in its full breadth, not narrowed to a single school.
Edition Five · The next edition
Three days at Shoonya Dance Centre, Ghent. Until we dance again — artists and programme are announced on Instagram first.
Every edition is built from the same parts: workshops by day, a gala by night, and a party to open it all.
One tradition, one teacher — master teachers from across India, taught hands-on across the weekend.
A seated theatrical evening on the Shoonya stage — faculty, guest artists and the ABC company together.
A community dance class, live music and a DJ until late — the night it all begins.
The teachers and performers who have carried their traditions to the GIDF floor.
This is how GIDF always runs. Dates, faculty and prices are confirmed each year.
Shoonya Dance Centre, Stapelplein 41, 9000 Gent. The whole festival unfolds under one roof — studios, stage, and party.
All levels and backgrounds, ages 12+. No prior Indian-dance experience needed — just come ready to move.
A 10-minute walk from Gent-Dampoort station. Street parking out front, Dok Noord parking five minutes away, and the city centre ten minutes on foot.
Our dance floors are danced barefoot or in socks. Some folk workshops use a long, flowing skirt — bring your own; a few are available to borrow, first-come.
Snacks and drinks at the opening party, and a simple lunch (soup & sandwiches, veg and vegan) on workshop days. Outside food and drink isn’t permitted, water aside.
Find hotels via visit.gent.be, or ask in the festival’s Facebook group for shared accommodation with other dancers.
Registration opens ahead of each edition and closes once we’re full. All registrations and tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Write to us via our contact page (Mon–Fri, 10:00–18:00). For news, follow @gentindiadansfestival.