founder & artistic director Nima Kiann
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A multi disciplinary artist whose life is dedicated to safeguarding a forgotten cultural heritage of his country.
Equipped with a quarter of a century of practice and experience he believes that his mission is completed when dancing as a cultural heritage is recognized and established in Iran.
He is the only advocate for Iranian institutional dance. His endeavors go long beyond being a choreographer. He is also the only historian and dance scholar who knows and has documented the complete story of Institutional dance in Iran.
(endeavors & achievements)
reviving
an abandoned Iranian cultural heritage by recreating the Iranian National Ballet Company which was dissolved in 1979 after 23 years in Europe.
implementing
of the most extensive Iranian artistic project ever realized outside of the country. 106 individuals from 22 countries participated only in the premiere production of Les Ballets Persans.
Conducting
and directing productions, seminars, conferences, lectures and educational programs in Asia, Europe and North America.
creating
new choreographies by merging Persian and Middle Eastern dance with Western classical and contemporary ballet.
revitalizing
forgotten masterwork choreographies from the repertoire of the National Ballet of Azerbaijan during the Soviet era and for the first time being introduced in the West.
introducing
Introducing the contemporary dance technique and repertoire to the National Ballet of Tajikistan as the company's first Principal Guest Choreographer from the West.
Organizing
the first international tour of the National Ballet of Tajikistan and National Ballet of Kyrgyzstan in the West after the fall of the Soviet Union and the independence of these countries.
Serving
as artistic advisor to several organizations and institutions throughout the world and ministries of culture in Central Asia.
Imagine the culture of each nation as a magnificent castle! History of the country as its gate, education as its ground, philosophy as its roof, language as its door, traditions as its walls, democracy and freedom of expression as its windows, and literature as its garden. Then the arts are pillars to this fascinating structure.
— Nima Kiann
(ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
MAB
2021
IRB
2025
" Dance is the most oppressed form of art in the twenty-first century of Iran. It is not to be named. It is not to be mentioned. This, in spite of the fact that dancing is the most sacred act of mankind in the Persian classical and mystical literature."
— Nima Kiann
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This is a beta version of the iranianballet.org We appreciate your patience as we refine the experience.This is a beta version of the iranianballet.org We appreciate your patience as we refine the experience.This is a beta version of the iranianballet.org We appreciate your patience as we refine the experience.This is a beta version of the iranianballet.org We appreciate your patience as we refine the experience.This is a beta version of the iranianballet.org We appreciate your patience as we refine the experience.
This is a beta version of the iranianballet.org We appreciate your patience as we refine the experience.This is a beta version of the iranianballet.org We appreciate your patience as we refine the experience.This is a beta version of the iranianballet.org We appreciate your patience as we refine the experience.This is a beta version of the iranianballet.org We appreciate your patience as we refine the experience.This is a beta version of the iranianballet.org We appreciate your patience as we refine the experience.
(Our Skilled Team of Professionals)
Career highlightsGoalsachievementsAwards
Career highlightsGoalsachievementsAwardsCareer highlightsGoalsachievementsAwardsCareer highlightsGoalsachievementsAwardsCareer highlightsGoalsachievementsAwardsCareer highlightsGoalsachievementsAwards
Career highlightsGoalsachievementsAwardsCareer highlightsGoalsachievementsAwardsCareer highlightsGoalsachievementsAwardsCareer highlightsGoalsachievementsAwardsCareer highlightsGoalsachievementsAwards
1982
Tehran Youth Calligraphy Contest
First Prize in Naskh Style, Iran
2001
Baku Opera House
Dance Impressario, Azerbaijan
2002
Les Ballets Persans
World Premiere, Sweden
2005
Miljömagasinet’s Cultural Award
Excellent Artistic Achievement, Sweden
2008
Celebration of Nima Kiann - Ferdowsi Award
Gala Performance in London, UK
2011
Arash Award
Tirgan Festival, Canada
2012
Culture Ministry of Tajikistan
Principal Guest Choreographer, Tajikistan
2015
Culture Ministry of Kyrgyzstan
Dance Impressario, Kyrgyzstan
2016
“The History of Ballet in Iran”
Reference Book Publication, Germany
2021
MEDETIUS
“A Life Changing Initiative”, Sweden
2025
Institutional Dance Archive of Iran
Unique for its kind, Cultivating Understanding Between People!
2026
“Touring Dance Museum”
International Exhibitions
2030
Nikan Foundation
Nationwide Charity for Dance Promotion
2032
Tehran Opera
A Futuristic Project
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The rebirth of an art form that vanished with the tumultuous events in the history of my country, has given me the privilege to reflect on the human condition. It is the inspiration behind these reflections that dancing is the most sacred act of mankind creates movement.
— Nima Kiann
CHOREOGRAPHERNIMA KIANNDANCE SCHOLARARTISTIC DIRECTORDANCE Impressario
CHOREOGRAPHERNIMA KIANNDANCE SCHOLARARTISTIC DIRECTORDANCE ImpressarioCHOREOGRAPHERNIMA KIANNDANCE SCHOLARARTISTIC DIRECTORDANCE ImpressarioCHOREOGRAPHERNIMA KIANNDANCE SCHOLARARTISTIC DIRECTORDANCE ImpressarioCHOREOGRAPHERNIMA KIANNDANCE SCHOLARARTISTIC DIRECTORDANCE ImpressarioCHOREOGRAPHERNIMA KIANNDANCE SCHOLARARTISTIC DIRECTORDANCE Impressario
CHOREOGRAPHERNIMA KIANNDANCE SCHOLARARTISTIC DIRECTORDANCE ImpressarioCHOREOGRAPHERNIMA KIANNDANCE SCHOLARARTISTIC DIRECTORDANCE ImpressarioCHOREOGRAPHERNIMA KIANNDANCE SCHOLARARTISTIC DIRECTORDANCE ImpressarioCHOREOGRAPHERNIMA KIANNDANCE SCHOLARARTISTIC DIRECTORDANCE ImpressarioCHOREOGRAPHERNIMA KIANNDANCE SCHOLARARTISTIC DIRECTORDANCE Impressario