“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
Date to be announced - IRAN (Tehran and Kermanshah only) With Yarsan Sufi Order and Masters: Farima Berenji, Seyed Salman Hosseni, Mehrdad Maleki, and Seyed Vessal Hosseni. Discover the roots of mysticism! This unique travel experience and opportunity focuses on the history, mysticism, art, music, and dance traditions of the Yarsan Sufi Order. Retreat/Tour includes: […]
The Origin of Mysticism Date to be announced - TURKEY (Bademhan Sufi House and Retreat Center and Çanakkale) With Yarsan and Khorasan Sufi Order and Masters: Farima Berenji, Seyed Salman Hosseni, Mehrdad Maleki, and Seyed Vessal Hosseni. Learn the ancient wisdoms, dances, whirling and healing ritual practices of the Anatolian and Khorasan Sufi mystics. Our […]
Silent Whirling: Sema and Dancing to the Rhythm and Melody of the Heart Whirling in silence, solely to the rhythm of one’s heart, enables us to focus on finding calm and peace within moving meditation. Although circumstances vary, those who practice silent whirling meditation within a group are often more likely to experience and share […]
Poetry in Music and Motion for a Millennium An online workshop for musicians and dancers with Persian dance scholar Farima Berenji and music scholars Dr. Lloyd Miller and Nariman Assad. A dastgah is one of the basic melody types of traditional Persian music as identified by music masters originating from the nineteenth century. It is […]
In ancient Persia, much of Persian mythology is based on the idea of a good or positive force battling an evil force for control of humankind. This universal struggle between the forces of good and evil was the central vision of Persian religion. In this lecture by Farima Berenji Learn how ancient Persian gods were […]
Where Movement Becomes Devotion "Everything in Persian dance is poetry. Every movement describes a story, a feeling. The dancer takes the audience into a world of fairy tales."~ Farima Berenji Poetry in Motion is interpretive, improvisational, and devotional dance form popularized by Farima Berenji that is inspired by mystical and classical Persian poetry. It originates […]
Enjoy amazing folk stories from Persia in this one hour lecture by scholar Farima Berenji. Hear of the ancient stories that inspired and have been adapted many times throughout history to become classic tales as well as Disney films such as • Rapunzel • Sword in the Stone • Romeo and Juliet • The Game […]
Mehregan is the Persian festival of autumn, one of the most ancient Iranian festivals known, when the community gathers together for prayers of thanksgiving and blessings. On Mehregan, friends and family gather to celebrate the beginning of fall and its colors. Hosted by the Roya Foundation, the 2020 Mehregan Celebration is held entirely online with […]
Vahishta is a multinational performance of traditional dance and music, acting, song, poetry, and art with artists from and representing countries of Iran, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, England, Italy, and the United States. Vahishta comes from the word "Asha Vahishta" (the creators of the cosmos). Their name means “immortal spirits”. They are angels of Devotion, Truth/Righteousness, […]
Free lecture on sacred and Sufi music, musical instruments, and dance 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, Rouhollah Kalami, and Koroush Shokouhi. Online webinar from Iran […]