Dance has long held a sacred and integral role in the civilizations of the Middle East—predating its elevation to a noble art form in the West. Rooted in ritual, spirituality, and everyday life, movement was once a universal language among the ancient empires of the East. Yet despite this profound legacy, scholarly knowledge about the origins, history, and evolution of Middle Eastern dance has remained strikingly limited.

As a young art student, I was struck by the absence of serious academic inquiry into the dance traditions of countries surrounding the Caspian Sea—particularly ancient Persian dance. Later, as a professional immersed in the field, I turned to historical and scholarly sources, only to find that even in the most comprehensive Western reference books, there was a glaring absence of information on classical and contemporary dance traditions from this region.

There were no entries on the once-renowned Iranian National Ballet, no mention of its pioneering artists, nor any reference to the rich ballet traditions of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, or Turkey. Entire repertoires and legacies remained invisible to global audiences and researchers alike. The omission was not only surprising—it was deeply disheartening.

In response to this silence, I began publishing my own research, including the widely referenced article Persian Dance and Its Forgotten History. Over the years, this work has been cited in numerous academic projects and university studies across the United States, Europe, and even Iran. The engagement and inquiries I received highlighted a growing, urgent need for a dedicated space where the histories and aesthetics of Middle Eastern dance could be explored, studied, and preserved.

This need gave birth to the Eastern Dance Forum—a digital research platform committed to the documentation, promotion, and academic recognition of Middle Eastern and Oriental ballet traditions. With over 43,000 visits to the original web page in just three years, it became clear that this initiative filled a critical void.

Today, integrated into the broader cultural mission of iranianballet.org, the Eastern Dance Forum remains the only platform of its kind: a scholarly initiative dedicated to bridging the knowledge gap, challenging orientalist omissions, and celebrating the diverse and often overlooked ballet and dance heritages of the East.

I invite researchers, students, and enthusiasts to contribute to this evolving body of knowledge. Let us work together to bring these stories into the light and ensure that the dance traditions of the Middle East and Central Asia are recognized for their artistry, depth, and historical importance.

My deepest gratitude goes to my esteemed colleague, Dr. Anthony Shay, whose invaluable scholarship and contributions to this platform continue to enrich our collective understanding of Eastern dance traditions.

Nima Kiann
Dance Scholar Founder and Artistic Director, Les Ballets Persans

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