Sarabande Soufie – Keyvan Chemirani & Rana Gorgani

I took part in the retreat at the Sufi Temple in Arles in October 2024 and immediately after this wonderful moment I wrote a primer that I wanted to have one word per letter, but which proved impossible because my feelings were unable to muzzle the overflow of emotions. So I drew up my own alphabet and if several emotions correspond to the same letter, it's one more turn of the circle. Only I was missing a letter to finalise this story... Luckily I was able to join a new circle for a wonderful day bathed in music, song and unity to the Sufi rhythm, which enabled me to find the last word I was missing. A Love, Joy B Beauty, Goodness C Celestial Circle D Dance, Sweetness E Energy, Wonder F Strength, Pride G Grace, Gratitude H Honour, Humility I Illumination, Incantation J Joy, Youth K Karma, Konia L Light, Slowness M Music, Magic N Nuance, Novelty...(nausea 🫢 ) O Orientation, Openness, Osmosis P Poetry, Plenitude Q Quietude R Renewal, Recognition S Synergy, Silence T Tempo, Trance U Unity V Truth, Vibration W Wow X Xxxl Y Yin Z Zirkh, Zoroaster Thanks again Rana

An invaluable encounter that leaves an indelible mark on the deepest part of my being. The words resonate from this whirlwind of the body: Inside and outside are linked by communion, spirituality, commitment, love, and freedom.

Sometimes, when an experience is particularly touching, it is difficult to find the words to describe it. But it may be enough to adopt the language of simplicity and share that for me, the discovery of the Sufi dance was like seeing on the surface what exists deep within me.... But in all simplicity, surrounded by the kindness of Rana and all the beautiful people who have composed this workshop.

A big thank you Rana for this retreat rich in teachings, liberations, emotions. I lived a timeless moment in presence. I will continue to dance, cultivate this beautiful experience.

A week ago, I experienced for the first time a Sufi dance workshop led by Rana Gorgani in Paris. What a deep and captivating experience! The framework woven by Rana, combining culture, physical preparation, and spirituality, allowed me to enter with confidence in the whirling of the Dervishes. In this unique space, both intimate and infinite, I felt humble and deeply resourced. God willing, I will return to this living source. Thank you Rana.

Deep gratitude for having experienced on 30 March 2024, with Rana Gorgani and other beautiful souls, a new spiritual listening, and at the same time so close to the one I've been living for several years, connected to the heart, the stars, the circles, the cosmic laws 💙 Listening in movement, and in non-movement, nothing more and yet so much.... A sacred experience 🙏 A before and an after.

I had forgotten that I had been created for Joy. My mind was too busy and my heart too heavy to remember that I was called to dance the Sacred Dance of life. Now I know that I was created to smile, to love, to uplift myself and others. O Rana Gorgani, thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing me a new way to untie my feet from all the traps. To free my soul. Now, together, we will dance - and this dance may well be contagious 💞 (A transformation of a Rumi quote)

I saw the magnificent ambassador and artist Rana at the Petit Palais during her Nuit Blanche performance ✨. I was deeply moved by her generous presence and message of peace, to the point of tears throughout this magnificent performance. ⭐️ Many thanks Rana 🙏🏻✨ For peace in the world, Yours sincerely

Thank you Rana for this magnificent retreat at the monastery of Ségriès. I am still carried by the beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the place, the singing of birds, the energy of dance, the vibration of the Daf and the Zikrs who continue to resonate in me. After these few days, "I have a heart that frisches with love," I feel life beating in full swing throughout my body, and it’s pure happiness. Thank you! Thank you for the intensity, the beauty, the creativity in the practices that you share; I feel this setting is a fertile ground to emerge, flourish in dance, and realign between heaven and Earth. One step after the other, getting closer to our essence, dancing and being danced by the fire of life that is within us, and all around us. A tender euphoria... Huuuu!

I attended the Sufi dance training in Izmir and then in Gokcedere this year. Both training periods were truly transformative moments of my year and of my path… This practice has profoundly changed me and allows me to anchor myself in life with greater sovereignty. I am deeply grateful to Rana for passing on this priceless treasure with her heart and her dedication. Gratitude

Thank you Rana. I'm so grateful for your deep sharing of knowledge and experience. I'm also lucky to have such great team members. I had an amazing time! Thank you all!!!

I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to attend the Sufi dance school in Gökçedere. A heartfelt thank you to dear Rana for making it possible to learn the sacred practice of Sufi whirling, Sama. Through this experience, I have gained a deeper understanding of Rumi's words: "We are the mirror, as well as the face in it. We are tasting the taste of eternity this minute." The journey of learning Sama cannot truly be explained in words - it must be lived, felt, and embraced within the heart. Sajila❤

I participated in the 1st week of Sufi and Daf dance workshops this summer at the Sufi temple of Godçardur in Turkey. I had a first initiation in March at the monastery of Ségriès. No testimony, no word can express the experience crossed. The way in which Rana transports us is a journey in its own right. I can’t wait to come back. Thank you. Sandrine

I answered the call of my heart and experienced the sacred teachings transmitted to us by Rana during three intense and profound weeks in Turkey. Gratitude. Meeting beings of goodness and beauty. Living the Sâma alone, but together, all the way to the source, with no expectations. Thank you for your intuition, your motivation, your perseverance, your confidence, your humility and your joy. A few words: Love, Simplicity, Vacuity, Divine Breath.

Between deep peace and bubbling energy, inspiring retreat in Konya. A true renewal like an inner journey to the rhythm of Rana’s teachings, Sadegh’s music and voice as well as those of the many Sufi musicians; a path harmoniously shared with the other participants. «There is a voice that does not use words. Listen!»

With each retreat, a fruitful space for exploration and openness that gets bigger and bigger: daring, crossing, taming and overcoming obstacles, surprising yourself, opening up, forgetting yourself in order to reveal yourself...
Thank you for these bubbles of a rare and exceptional quality, full of humanity, where rigour and the presence of the heart meet with precision.
Each time I come away more present, more in tune, more real, more alive... a passage that transforms and makes you freer and freer... THANK YOU.

Sufi’s Saraband

Sarabande Soufie – Keyvan Chemirani & The Modal Experience Ensemble | With Rana Gorgani

Distribution

Rana Gorgani

Keyvan Chemirani

Aida Nosrat

Thomas Dunford

Violaine Cochard

Sokratis Sinopoulos

Bijan Chemirani

Artistic statement

Two voices of Persian poetry

Jalâl ad-Dîn Rûmî

Forough Farrokhzad

The dance of the sama

Upcoming performances

De Bijloke Muziekcentrum

Atelier Lyrique de Tourcoing

Grand Manège de Namur

Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier

Collège des Bernardins

Experience the sama from within

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