About Hanan and Hanan Group

About Hanan.

Hanan has many years of experience as a solo artist, teacher and choreographer and has performed and thought at multiple events in Europe, North Africa, West Africa and the Middle East. She has, among other things, danced solo at the Cairo Opera House, Alexandria Opera House, and Mohammed V Theater in Rabat, Morocco, and Globen in Stockholm, and won international dance competitions in China, Egypt, and Denmark.

She founded Hanan Group in 2009 and has lead and choreographed the group on her own since then. Apart from Hanan Group, Hanan is also a choreographer, trainer and dancer in Enkidu Company - an Iraqi folklore dance group lead by Mohanned Hawaz.

Hanan Group prides themselves on transmitting their love for dance to the audience and to show the world the richness and diversity of different kind of dance style from the Middle East and North Africa. The group was founded by the Swedish dancer and choreographer Hanna Hanan Thorstensen in 2009 and has since gained local and international following.

In May 2013, the group was the first winner of the International Folklore Group Competition for Oriental Dance at the Stockholm Oriental Dance Festival. They have since been invited to perform at many festivals over the years, including Heshk Beshk Oriental Dance festival in Venice and the International Homeland Loyalty Festival for Folklore Dance in Jordan. In 2014 the group was invited to represent Egypt at an international folklore festival in Shanghai China, where they performed for around 80 million people and won a reward for "best energy on stage". They are also the winner of Danish Open Bellydance group category both 2015 and 2017.

Our Dancers

  • Dayan

    Dayan joined the group when she was only seven years old and quickly made her debut performance on national TV. Dayan is known for her strong stage presence. She is also an actress and a street dancer.

  • Alexandra

    With multiple medals from international dance competitions and a soloist tour of Morocco behind her belt, Alexandra is one of the original dancers from when the group started.

  • Natalie

    Natalie has a broad background in both bellydance and Arabic folklore, and joined the group in 2012.

  • Maria

    As one of our most experienced dances, Maria has performed at multiple weddings and other events, both in Sweden and internationally.

  • Agnes

    Agnes works as a dancer and dance instructor and graduated from BA Malmö 2025. She has won several international dance competitions.

  • Rebecca

    With a background in both bellydance and bollywood, Rebecca has appeared in both music videos and as a background dancer at a music festival.

  • Melanie

    With her playful style, Melanie frequently stars music videos and festivals, and came third place in the Rising Stars category at Stockholm Bellydance Festival 2018.

  • Anjelica

    As one of the original dancers of Hanan Group, Anjelica has explored everything from jazz, balett, hiphop and reggaeton before returning to her true love - bellydance.

  • Malin

    With a background in bellydance, jazz and street dance, Malin is an experienced dance teacher and also a Jallabina instructor.

  • Erika

    With an extensive background in both bellydance and bollywood, Erika has performed in multiple internationally acclaimed music videos.

  • Betina

    Betina has many years experience of being a solo artist. She is known for her strong stage presence and musicality.

  • Lova

    Lova is one of the youngest members in the group with a background in several dance styles. In addition to dancer Lova is a singer.

  • Vanessa

    Vanessa has many years of experience as dancer and is known for her elegance and detailed technique.

  • Kajsa

    Kajsa has trained Arabic dance styles for many years and is known for her grace and beautiful stage presence.

  • Lea

    Lea has danced all her life and has trained many different styles. Already at a very young age she fell in love with Arbic dance styles. Lea has an education in performing art.

  • Lisa

    Lisa is one of the youngest members of the group and has trained many different dance styles since childhood. Her strongest passion is Arabic dance styles. Lisa is also trains youg children in dance at Kulturskolan.