BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese dancer Alexandre Paulikevitch wears a dress and corset as he undulates to classical Arabic music at his sold-out performance in Beirut. He dances in a way largely seen as exclusive to women, challenging traditional social and gender norms, and angering fundamentalist Christian and Muslim groups.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Alexandre Paulikevitch is helped into his dress by an assistant backstage before performing at a theatre in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Alexandre Paulikevitch performs at a theatre in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Alexandre Paulikevitch applies makeup backstage before performing at a theatre in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Alexandre Paulikevitch performs at a theatre in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Alexandre Paulikevitch gets his wig adjusted by an assistant backstage before performing at a theatre in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Alexandre Paulikevitch stretches backstage as he gets ready to perform at a theatre in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Alexandre Paulikevitch applies makeup backstage before performing at a theatre in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Alexandre Paulikevitch performs at a theatre in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Alexandre Paulikevitch applies makeup backstage before performing at a theatre in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Alexandre Paulikevitch rehearses with musicians at a theatre in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Alexandre Paulikevitch gets ready backstage before performing at a popular theatre in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
