VIDEO - Hundreds of women graced Eilat's fourth annual Eastern Dance Festival over the weekend.

Wrapped in colorful shawls and dazzling sequins, they fluttered through the various workshops, lectures and performances featured as part of the festival's "Belly Dancer of the Year" competition.

Considered by many to be one of the ancient forms of seduction, the belly dancing gathering was soon turned from a competition to a joyous celebration of female interaction, enveloping the entire weekend with bursts of iridescent energy.