Syria Today | Syrian choreographer burnt to death

Syrian choreographer burnt to death

Syrian dancer and choreographer Lawand Hajo was poisoned by gas and burnt to death in his apartment in Dahyet Kudsaya on November 12.

Sandrella al-Khoury, a member of Hajo’s Ramad Dance company, told Syria Today that a gas canister had been found in Hajo’s bedroom and that his laptop and mobile phone were missing. Police also found the murdered choreographer’s car, which eyewitnesses say was stolen a few minutes after the fire broke out, parked a short distance from his home. Investigations into the crime are ongoing.

Hajo, 33, is considered one of the most important Syrian choreographers, winning several international prizes in China and Japan among others. Hajo was scheduled to present his latest performance Effusion at the Dar al-Assad Opera House on November 19 and 20.

“Lawand didn’t have any enemies or clashes with anyone,” Khoury said, adding the group will continue working and is planning to present a dance performance in tribute to Hajo in December. “Lawand spent nine years building up this group. We will not let it end like this.”