“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
The annual Storyteller Holiday Party at the Asian Art Museum will feature storytelling thru dance with the story of the Simorgh. With dance performances by Farima Berenji and the Simorgh Dance Collective. The Simurgh is a mythical flying creature in Iranian or Persian mythology that’s regarded as a benevolent and generous creature. Read more...
A Lecture by Scholar and Ethnologist, Dr. Farima Berenji We have always known of Christmas on December 25th, with a traditional decorated tree, candles, and gifts. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ yet its rituals and traditions far precede that time. Unquestionably, our ancestors adopted the rituals from an ancient Iranian pagan religion known as […]
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 […]
Mitramass: Christmas and its Ancient Iranic Origins A Lecture by Scholar Dr. Farima Berenji We have always known of Christmas on December 25th, with a traditional decorated tree, candles, and gifts. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ yet its rituals and traditions far precede that time. Unquestionably, our ancestors adopted the rituals from an ancient […]
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, with Scholar Dr. Farima Berenji. This enchanting one hour program includes lecture on the origins of the Day of Love, ritual dances honoring Goddess Diana, Iranian Goddess of Love, […]
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 […]
Companions of the Sun A Lecture by Scholar Dr. Farima Berenji Rooted in one of the world’s oldest civilizations, the traditions of Iranian/Persian sacred dance and music embody the profound wisdom of our ancestors. Observing nature, the stars, and the rhythms of life, they crafted movements expressing love, strength, and spiritual transcendence. These rituals continue […]
Learn about the origins and practice of Iranian dance in this talk and performance by Dr. Farima Berenji. She will discuss Iranian rituals and beliefs in relation to dance, as well as how Iranian culture has impacted global music and dance traditions. There will be a short performance and audience participation dance as part of […]
Dr. Farima Berenji and Qais Essar will perform and discuss dance and music from the cultures along the ancient Silk Road. This event draws connections with the musical instruments and textiles from the vast collections of Eastern Arts on display in the Special Collections Reading Room, Level 4 of the SLC City Libraray to celebrate […]
Learn about the origins and practice of Iranian dance in this talk and performance by Dr. Farima Berenji. She will discuss Iranian rituals and beliefs in relation to dance, as well as how Iranian culture has impacted global music and dance traditions. There will be a short performance and audience participation dance as part of […]