“Everything in dance is poetry. Every movement describes a story, a feeling. The dancer takes the audience into a world of fairy tales.” ~Farima Berenji
Free lecture on sacred and Sufi dance and music of Iran followed by Q/A. Presented in collaboration with the Center of Eastern Music of Iran, University of Tehran, and the Yarasan Sufi Order. Special lecturers include Dr. Lloyd Miller, Seyed Salman Hosseini, Farima Berenji, and Rouhollah Kalami. Online webinar is in Farsi and English. Registration […]
Join us to celebrate our fellowship in love and spirit with whirling dance (Sema), meditation, music, prayers, and poetry. Sheb-i Arus commemorates the death and thereby union between the Persian mystical poet Rumi and the universe. Our ceremony will be shared multi-nationally online with Master Seyed Salman, Master Farima Berenji, and with live music by […]
Join us for an evening celebrating Yalda (winter solstice), the longest night of the year and the birth of Mithra. Shab-e Yalda (Yalda Night) is the Persian Winter Solstice Celebration on the eve of the Winter Solstice. The Persians believed that this night is the night of the birth of Ahura Mazda and Mithra, Persian […]
Discover the power and mystery of whirling as a gateway for self-growth and spiritual enlightenment through movement, music, and meditation. Inspired by nature, ancient Iranic rituals, science, and the beautiful spiritual traditions of Sufism, join Farima to learn the essentials of whirling meditation including preparation, balance and posture, controlling dizziness, self-focus, breathwork, and more. Whirling […]
Join us at our monthly Sufi Whirling and Sema Gathering, with live/recorded music, meditation, whirling, Zikr (Sufi Prayer) and Sohbet (Sufi Talk). We will create a sacred, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us, relax and open our heart, body, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery […]
Persian dance inherits a historic culture of 8000 years in history with a blend of enchanting sacred movements rich in the elemental beauty of nature: birds, animals, flowers, and the elements. In ancient Persia, it was believed that these beings and elements carried the spirit of the Divine. Dance is inspired by mystical Persian poetry, […]
Join us for an evening celebrating Norouz, the coming of Spring! Norouz is the traditional spring and new year celebration of the Persian and Central Asian people. Norouz means “New Day” and it falls on the March equinox, the first day of spring. Families on Norouz gather together and wait for the exact time it […]
Join artists Bijan Maysami, Metanat Sedeghi, and Farima Berenji live online celebrating the ancient festival of Norouz with lively folk music and a wonderful Haft-seen welcoming Spring in happiness and joy. The number seven is the representation of spiritual perfection and the whole of the world according to ancient Iranians and Indians. In addition to […]
This lecture will present an overview of traditional dance in Afghanistan and influences by neighboring countries India, Iran, Central Asia and Russia. Katherine will be sharing her field experience and stories researching dance within Afghanistan. All are welcome. Please register in advance to obtain a link to the online lecture. Register Please consider making a […]
Farima will be teaching and presenting an Iranian Qashqai scarf dance on April 9, 2:30-3:00pm at the annual National Folk Organization (NFO) conference held online via Zoom. NFO Annual Conference Apr. 7-11, 2021 This year's NFO conference embraces the virtual world of folk arts and spans the globe. There will be master teachers giving dance […]