CELEBRATION OF NIMA KIANN
Reviving a Heritage: A Tribute to a Pioneering Artist
In 2008, Nima Kiann’s pioneering efforts to preserve a forgotten Iranian artistic heritage were formally celebrated at a distinguished event in London. The occasion honored his groundbreaking work in documenting, reviving, and theorizing Iranian ballet and institutional dance—a field long overlooked in global academia.
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Reflections on Nima Kiann's Impact and Praise for His Pioneering Efforts
“The founding of les ballets persans in the year 2002 was the fruit from several years of endeavor by a young man, who is in love with his motherland as well as with its culture and history of art. Thanks to this love, he has combined what he has learnt about the art of ballet with some surviving remnants from the culture of his birthplace in order to create a colourful rainbow which represents the diverse manifestations of art in the land which nurtured him.”
Despite having spent only the first seventeen years of his life in Iran, Kiann’s enduring passion for his homeland and its timeless culture propelled him on a challenging journey to revive and safeguard one of Iran’s most treasured artistic legacies. Through Les Ballets Persans, he established a powerful artistic platform that not only honors Persian history and culture but also redefines an art form often misunderstood or unrecognized within his own community.
Passion spurred his work to protect Iranian arts.Toos Foundation
“Despite the fact that he spent only the first seventeen years of his thirty eight-year life in his homeland, his love for the motherland and constant acquaintance with its eternal culture nevertheless directed him along the difficult path of reviving and safeguarding on the most beautiful legacies of Iran’s art heritage.”
By founding Les Ballets Persans, Nima Kiann created a full-length mirror reflecting Iran’s culture, history, and artistic traditions. The Gala Performance in London, organized by the Toos Foundation on March 9, 2008, marked the sixth anniversary of the dance company’s establishment, bringing together an audience of over 1,000. The breathtaking performances earned 24 standing ovations over the three-and-a-half-hour event, and Kiann was awarded the Ferdowsi Award by the Toos Foundation.
Found a lost jewel, restoring its brilliance anew.Toos Foundation
“As he himself has said: he has had the good fortune of finding a jewel, which had fallen beneath the dust of spitefulness; and there was a need to bring back the luster to this jewel by adopting a fresh approach and by drawing a new plan. Tonight we have witnessed participating members of his newly launched European Youth Dance Project perform ballets from Les Ballets Persans’ repertoire.”
A Grand Tribute to Artistic Excellence
As founder, artistic director, and principal choreographer of Les Ballets Persans, Nima Kiann has orchestrated one of the most ambitious Iranian artistic projects ever undertaken outside of Iran. By uniting talented artists from around the world, he has fostered an international cultural movement dedicated to the revival and enrichment of Persian art. The Toos Foundation praised his visionary leadership and exceptional ability to organize and execute large-scale cultural initiatives, establishing him as a leading figure in the Iranian artistic community in Europe
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“as founder, artistic director and principal choreographer of Les Ballets Persans, Nima Kiann continues to create an international cultural impact, leading the most extensive Iranian artistic project ever realized outside of Iran by bringing together the talents and creative resources of distinguished artists from all around the world, with the common goal of working for the revival and enrichment of a great cultural and artistic asset. Toos foundation salutes Nima Kiann’s strong artistic vision and organizing abilities which combined have made him one of the most successful cultural administrators of the Iranian community in Europe.”
International project reviving Persian art, Kiann’s vision lauded.Toos Foundation
The Gala Performance commenced with an address from Baroness Caroline Cox, Deputy Speaker of the British House of Lords, followed by a speech from Ms. Susan Mayer, Dean of the Harris School of Public Studies at the University of Chicago. The event also featured a bilingual historical overview of Persian dance, written by Nima Kiann, presented in English by Ms. Elizabeth Mansfield and in Persian by Ms. Fakhri Nikzad.
The evening showcased four ballets from Les Ballets Persans’ repertoire, performed by young dancers from Kiann’s newly launched European Youth Dance Project, an initiative promoting cultural integration and peace. The performances included Turquoise Land, exclusively choreographed for this event, alongside Rumi-Rumi, La Femme, and SimayJan – The Gilani Girl.
The Sole Guardian of a National Heritage
After broadcasting messages from prominent cultural and artistic figures to the audience on the occasion of Nima Kiann’s celebration gala performance, the founder of Toos Foundation handed over the Ferdowsi Prize to him, stating:
“I am proud of young artists such as Nima Kiann who, having been forced into the same fate of exile, have nevertheless kept and safeguarded the torch of love and peace.”