Awards


“When I teach or perform it is my soul guiding me. I open up to the universe and allow my ancestors and spiritual animal to take control. You must allow the spirit to live and show itself to your work. This is what makes teaching and performance more powerful.” ~Farima Berenji

Awards and Recognitions

Farima and the Simorgh Dance Collective have been honored with numerous awards for individual and group work in communities, artistic excellence, cultural diplomacy and preservation, and for expertise in leadership and artists.

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  • 2023 – Mosaic Festival Fellow Award, San Jose, CA, USA
  • 2019 – Certificate of Appreciation, Center for Creative Living, San Jose, CA, USA
  • 2019 – Ismaili Organization, lifetime achievement award, Calgary, AB
  • 2018 – TEDx Lecturer, Calgary, AB
  • 2017 – World Heritage Cultural Center, Best Dance Performance 2017-18, USA
  • 2016 – World Persian Art Forum, UK
  • 2016 – Austrian Turkish Embassy, Global Dance Education and Preservation of Turkic Cultural Dance, Austria
  • 2016 – National Folk Organization, USA
  • 2016-2017 – World Travel Show, Honorable Mention by Rick Steves, USA
  • 2016 – Named on Wall of Tolerance, Southern Poverty Law Center, Montgomery, AL, USA
  • 2015 – Istanbul Conservatory, Turkey
  • 2015 – US Presidential Reception for Barack Obama, USA
  • 2015 – University of Manchester, UK
  • 2015 – Bay Area Dance Watch Single Rose Honorary, USA
  • 2014 – SafeHouse for the Arts, USA
  • 2014 – Dorna Performing Arts Theatre, UK
  • 2014 – LiveBlessay Award, USA
  • 2014 – Allan Ulrich – San Francisco Chronicle, USA
  • 2013 – “Tumata” Music and Cultural Organization of Turkey
  • 2013 – “30 Voices” Iranian Women’s Human Rights Organization, USA
  • 2013 – San Jose City College, USA
  • 2007 – United Nations Association
  • 2006 – UNESCO
  • 2006 – Cal State Hayward Department of Anthropology, USA
  • 2005 – Certificate of Appreciation, Project Hope, USA
  • 2001 – San Jose State University Department of Art History and Convocation Committee, USA
  • 2000 – Payvand Iranian Cultural Organization: Dance Instructor of the Year, USA

 
Also: CID UNESCO (International Dance Council) Membership, Ambassador of Georgia and European Union, Vienna Conservatory, Bridge Builders (AK), First Lady of Alaska, Cultural Fellowship (SF), French Institute, Governor Bill Walker (AK), 30 Voices – Women in Arts Diaspora, Iranian Inspiration, and Ambassador of Spain.