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The Rotating Dervishes Mevlevi at Pallas Theater

October 22, 2018 @ 9:00 pm

Centred on the dance of the Dervishes, we will follow the evolution of the ritual dance of the Sufis and how a secret dance can be translated into modern language and expression.

Once again we will enjoy the Spinning Dervishes of the “Mevlevi” Order with their ecstatic rotary dance , while for the first time in Athens the well-known and exceptional dancer and choreographer, the so-called Subversive Spinning Dervish, Ziya Azazi, will present the much talked about performance “Dervish In Progress”.

The Mevlevi Revolving Dervishes are members of the oldest order of Sufis , founded in the 13th century by Gelalentin Rumi, who for many scholars was considered one of the greatest mystical poets of the human race and by his contemporaries, was given the name “Mevlana” meaning “our teacher”.
The Dervishes, through a centuries-old choral rite, seek to purify the human soul. The common goal of all the Sufi orders of the Dervishes, and their supreme desire, is their union with the Beloved (God) and the “Sema”, their ecstatic, rotating dance, is the basic vehicle for the realization of their goal.
The Dervishes revolve around themselves to the sounds of traditional music, while moving in circles across the stage.
Ziya Azazi was born in Antioch, Turkey, but lives permanently in Vienna. He started his studies on modern dance and in 1999 he began to explore traditional Sufi dance. In the same year he was named as the most impressive dancer of the year by “Ballet International Magazine” which made him widely known.
Continuing his rising career he collaborates with major theatres as a choreographer and solo dancer, such as Vienna Volksoper ( where he still teaches today ) , Theaterhaus Stuttgart, Grand Théâtre de Geneve etc. He has performed in many festivals and theatre stages all over the world, always with standing ovation, has won many awards for his work, and has collaborated with many renowned artists, e.g. Jan Fabre, Silvert Hoyem, Mercen Dede, Burhan Ocal.
Based on the rotational movement of the Dervishes, he presents a modern and highly artistic view of the Sufi dance. His technique has been described worldwide as a masterpiece.
His performance “Dervish in Progress” has been performed all over the world, everywhere arousing the enthusiasm of audiences and remains to be considered one of his most important performances, a landmark performance, where he showed for the first time how such a culture of mysticism as the Sufis can be translated into modern language and expression.

Details

Date:
October 22, 2018
Time:
9:00 pm - 11:30 pm
Event Category:

Venue

Pallas Theater
Voukourestiou 3-5
Athens, Athens 10564 Ελλάδα
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Phone
2103213100