Ballet keeps Iraqi girls on their toes

Baghdad - As Baghdad ballet teacher Zikra Minhaim surveys her young charges enthusiastically

rehearsing their steps, she sees a glimmer of hope, a rare glimpse of beauty amid the grim war

clouds gathering over her stricken city.

"What amazes me is when people outside are buying generators, stocking food, the only worry these

girls have is how to have a good dancing position and how to stand on their toes elegantly," says

Minhaim.

"Look in their eyes, you see hope and you see beauty."

Twenty girls aged between six and 13 take their dancing lessons at the Baghdad School for Music

and Fine Arts.

click for more