Rana Gorgani

Whirling dervish

Artistic projects

Upcoming

DIALOGUE WITH SHAMS

In this performance-show in the form of a self-portrait, Franco-Iranian dancer Rana Gorgani reveals herself through Sufi dance. She gives strength and power to her bicultural identity and challenges gender prejudices. Matthieu Hocquemiller, who excels in highlighting minority narratives, directs her in a solo performance, establishing a dialogue with the 13th-century Persian mystic. Dialogue with Shams retraces the dancer's personal history through a fusion of autobiographical and fictional narratives in a continuous, ascending performance.

Event Dialogue avec Shams

"A sensory dive into the Sufi world"

Through her words and her body, Rana Gorgani weaves links between the arts: poetry, miniatures, architecture, music and, of course, dance.
The focus is very much on the feminine.
In a world where whirling dervishes are predominantly male, Rana Gorgani brings a new perspective thanks to her particularity as a female whirling dervish, for a dialogue from heart to heart and soul to soul.

Present

‘Scheherazade’ in Berlin, from orientalism to feminism

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Scheherazade Op. 35
New Arrangement for Chamber Orchestra

“Scheherazade has always fascinated me,” says Simone Menezes about the character from the collection of tales known as One Thousand and One Nights, the inspiration for Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s symphonic poem, among many other works. But the stereotypical depictions in literature, music, and film hardly do justice to this fabled storyteller: “Scheherazade’s greatness goes far beyond that—she represents an archetype of female heroism.” Based on a new chamber arrangement of Rimsky-Korsakov’s music, Menezes and her Ensemble K have created a concert project including excerpts from One Thousand and One Nights, ancient love poetry, and newly written dialogue to provide a contemporary look at this legendary character. A panel discussion on the preceding evening will explore additional perspectives.

Presented in English.
In cooperation with Cartier

Projet Shéhérazade du 26 septembre

UN Women on the ground in France and internationally

“Dance is the silent language of determination; every step forward is a victory over doubt.”
Rana Gorgani joins forces with UN Women France to support women's rights together.
Her commitment to this cause goes beyond words, with the strength of her message conveyed through the art of Sufi dance.
Each movement becomes a beacon of determination and hope, paying tribute to women worldwide.

Literary and Spiritual Encounter with Afsaneh Behnia – "Le Marc de Café"

For a poetic immersion blending cultural heritage and modernity, Rana Gorgani and Yosra Mojtahedi welcome Afsaneh Behnia, author of the book "Le Marc de Café".
Free entry, with reservation required via email: info.ranagorgani(@)gmail.com

Past

World Music Cities Festival #28

Rana Gorgani and Habib Meftah, both from Iran, embody the ancestral traditions of their country.
Rana, a female whirling dervish, masters the trance of Iranian Kurdistan, while Habib, from the south, is an expert in the healing rhythms known as Zar.
Together, they form a duo where movement and sound combine to offer a hypnotic and transcendent experience. Through their art, these two artists breathe a modern touch into age-old traditions, making them more alive than ever.

“Spirituality and culture” evening at the Théâtre de la Concorde

How can spirituality be a new dimension of care and relationships with others? A democratic issue at the heart of many artistic practices, this question will be discussed and examined through experience during this evening dedicated to "spiritual health" at the Théâtre de la Concorde... Learn more

Ôrizons Festival – Rana Gorgani Whirling Dervish

Rana Gorgani is a French-Iranian artist renowned for her expertise in Sufi dance, a form of meditative and spiritual dance that has its roots in Sufism, the mystical dimension of Islam. This ancestral dance is traditionally reserved for men, the whirling dervishes... Learn More

"Flamme Olympique - Paris 2024"

Rana Gorgani, has been selected to carry the Olympic flame for the Paris 2024 Games. This recognition honours her significant contributions to Sufi culture and dance. Her career and her commitment to preserving Persian culture through dance make her an emblematic figure to represent the values of Olympism.

"Sufi dance performance and initiation in tribute to Simone de Beauvoir"

To mark the passing of the flame to open the Paralympic Games, Rana Gorgani will be performing a unique Sufi dance on the forecourt of the Bibliothèque nationale de France. By appropriating this traditional Turkish dance, usually reserved for men, Rana, a Sufi dancer and activist through her art, will pay tribute to Simone de Beauvoir, an emblematic figure of feminism.

An evening of support for Iranian women

« The place of desire under oppression »

With Djaïli AMADOU AMAL, Tess BARTHÉLEMY, Vanessa FILHO, Judith GODRÈCHE,Julia de GASQUET, Rana GORGANI, Léonor de RÉCONDO et Mélanie TRAVERSIER

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