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Ensemble Rahaavi dancing in the streets of Berlin
© Amin Vafa
Women in traditional dresses joyfully dance at a festive parade in a city, with an audience and greenery in the background.
Dance

Kormanji dance workshop by North Khorasan and Soug: A Different Spring

Rahaavi Studio - Dances from Iranzamin


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free admission
The Kormanji dance workshop takes place at 3:30 p.m., no previous experience necessary. SOUG takes place at 5:30 p.m.
Hall 1, Ground Floor
Belongs to: Nouruz, Newroz, Nauroz
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The Kormanji dance workshop takes place at 3:30 p.m., no previous experience necessary.
Soug: A different Spring takes place at 5:30 p.m.

Kormanji Dance Workshop from North Khorasan

North Khorasan is a unique cultural landscape in northeastern Iran, shaped by centuries of migration and the coexistence of Kormanji Kurds with Turkic, Turkmen, and Persian-speaking populations. This long history of interaction has created a dance repertoire of remarkable depth, blending the regional rhythms of the Silk Road with a distinctly Kurdish core.

In this workshop, we explore the movement of the Kormanji people. Their dances are defined by a “Hemasi” spirit—an epic and heroic character reflected in powerful footwork, intricate spins, and expressive hand gestures. Unlike more solitary forms, these dances are rooted in the collective energy of the circle, where dancers and musicians engage in a constant, rhythmic dialogue.

Participants will be introduced to the foundational steps and the ritual meanings behind these formations. We will look at how these dances have preserved a love for movement and community while absorbing the diverse influences of the Khorasan region.

No previous dance experience is required. We welcome anyone with a curiosity for cultural history and a willingness to move together in the spirit of the circle.

The workshop is performed by Farid Gottlieb Motreb.

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Eyde Siyah SOUG

“How can we sing of the rose, when the garden is heavy with the dust of those we have lost?”

Nowruz traditionally marks the return of light and the victory of spring. However, for many in Iran today, the arrival of the “New Day” is a time of profound, collective mourning. In our culture, when a community is touched by the loss of its children and loved ones, the traditional rituals of celebration shift. We enter a state of Soug – a sacred mourning that prioritizes presence over festivity.

This performance brings the atmosphere of Eyd-e Siah (Black New Year) to the Humboldt Forum. Rather than the exuberant dances typically associated with the season, we present a ritual of sound and movement born from a nation in grief. It is a gesture of quiet solidarity, ensuring that those in mourning do not face their sorrow alone.

Through rhythmic movement and an evocative sonic landscape, we honor the symbols of the Haft-sin while acknowledging the empty chairs at the table. This is an invitation to witness a Nowruz that does not forget; a performance that breathes through the weight of the present while upholding the dignity of our heritage.

Artistic director: Farid Gottlieb Motreb Choreographer: Ani Azizi

Text: Rahaavi

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