This Refugee Escaped the Syrian War by Dancing

Dancer Ahmad Joudeh is a ballet artist from Syria. Unlike most dancers, he didn’t grow up going to a studio each day or practicing at home. Joudeh was raised in Syria, and his father disapproved of his dancing so much that he’d lock him in his room, burn his dance clothes, and physically punish him. Still, Joudeh danced. After ISIS threatened him, he danced around Syria to prove he wasn’t afraid. Pretty soon the world noticed, and a Dutch dance company brought him to the Netherlands to train. Now Joudeh dances in memory of all his loved ones stuck in Syria—and remains hopeful that peace will return.