“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
Join us for an evening celebrating Yalda (winter solstice), the longest night of the year. 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 God of Light and Truth. […]
Discover the power and mystery of sacred dance with mediation, music, poetry, whirling and ancient Healing Practices. Join Farima for a Sufi Whirling Workshop and Sema Gathering, with sacred 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 […]
Master the art of improvisation in Persian dance in this workshop with Farima Berenji. Learn the secrets for effective improvisation in Persian dance to different styles of music As a single dancer, in couples, or in groups As a solo performer, dancing with a partner, or in a group To different music rhythms and tempos […]
Sepandārmazgān was a day when women rested and men had to bring them gifts.Learn of the history and origins of Sepandārmazgān, the Persian festival of love, in this enchanting one hour lecture by Persian Scholar Farima Berenji. Sepandārmazgān is dedicated to Spenta Armaiti also known as “Diana” the Persian Goddess of love, beauty, and desire. […]
Mithrasim, Zoroastrianism, and our cultural roots The roots of mystical thinking were found in ancient Iran. The philosophy of Iranian mysticism by nature fosters adoption of other cultures. It is not based on a single source but is based on many, and that philosophy traveled to emerge among many civilizations. Many of today's […]
Join us for an afternoon 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 […]
Mistikler Kervanı-Sufi İnzivası
Music and Sema Workshops, Zikr, Sema Gathering, Sacred Circles, Sohbet With Yarsan Pir (Master) Seyed Salman Hosseini, Sufi Dance Master, Farima Berenji, and musicians and teachers Evren Evin, Evan Phillips, Hatice Gülbahar Hepsev and others... UPDATE: Master Seyed Vessal Hosseini from Iran (vocalist), the amazing Fatih Kocer from Turkey (vocalist and musician), and Dr. Reza […]
Sufi brothers and sisters, you are invited to participate in a Sema Gathering taking place in Konya, Turkey from May 9 to 10. Please note that this is an invitation only and that all coming must register in advance for RSVP. If you wish to invite anyone please contact us and register their names. No […]
Legends of the Ancient Iranic Female Warriors and Commanders In ancient Persia, women were considered living goddesses and many had important positions in court of law, ministries, military, state departments, and other official administrative positions. Many ancient Persian cities and states were ruled by women and had their army under full control of female commanders. […]
A Lecture by Scholar and Ethnologist, Farima Berenji Learn the little known background of the Persian Magi who journeyed toward the sacred star on Christmas in this delightful holiday lecture by Farima Berenji. There are many stories of the Magi. Were the Persian Magi priests, a coven of sorcerers, or a class of highly educated […]