Legacy
Choreography and Company
Through original choreographies and international performances, Nima Kiann introduced both Iranian ballet and overlooked Eastern ballet repertoire to Western audiences, acting as a cultural ambassador and impresario committed to fostering artistic exchange and cross-cultural collaboration.
Reconnecting Shared Cultural Heritage
Acornerstone of Nima Kiann’s vision for Les Ballets Persans was the conviction that the artistic revival of Iranian ballet must occur within a broader cultural framework—one that acknowledges and revitalizes the deep historical, cultural, and aesthetic ties between Iran and its neighboring countries. From the inception of his project to reestablish a national ballet rooted in Iranian identity, Kiann emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and cultural diplomacy. This vision materialized early in the development of Les Ballets Persans through an ambitious cross-cultural initiative that sought to reconnect with the shared artistic heritage of Iran’s neighboring nations, particularly those that had been culturally isolated from Iran during the Soviet era.
Rediscovery and Revival in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan became the first focal point in this pioneering work. In the late 1990s, only a few years after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the country’s independence, Kiann traveled to Baku as part of his extensive research efforts. Despite the difficult post-war conditions in Azerbaijan at the time, he established contact with two of the country’s most distinguished ballet figures: Rafiga Akhundova and Maksud Mamedov—choreographers of the Soviet era whose artistic legacies had fallen into obscurity following the dissolution of the USSR. His visit not only marked the rediscovery of significant Azerbaijani choreographic works but also the beginning of an unprecedented intercultural exchange. Two ballets by Akhundova and Mamedov were selected for the world premiere repertoire of Les Ballets Persans in 2002, marking the first time original Azerbaijani ballets were staged and introduced in the West. By reviving these forgotten works and integrating them into the permanent repertoire of Les Ballets Persans, Kiann created a historical bridge between the East and West, and between past and present ballet traditions of the region.
Culture transcends borders; art is the dialogue that unites us.Nima Kiann
Tajikistan: Innovation through Exchange
The cross-cultural mission of Les Ballets Persans was further expanded in 2012 when Kiann was invited to Dushanbe as Principal Guest Choreographer for the National Ballet of Tajikistan. His visit led to the permanent inclusion of several ballets from the repertoire of Les Ballets Persans in the Tajik company’s program. More significantly, Kiann introduced contemporary dance to Tajikistan for the first time by staging an original choreography titled The Symphony of Elegy. This marked a major shift in the technical and artistic vocabulary of the Tajik National Ballet, whose dancers had never before been trained in or performed using contemporary dance technique. Through this cultural milestone, Kiann once again demonstrated his role as a choreographer and cultural impresario, guiding institutions toward artistic evolution.
A Cultural Impresario Beyond Borders
Kiann’s commitment to fostering regional collaboration did not end there. His efforts extended to neighboring Kyrgyzstan as well, resulting in the first-ever touring opportunities in the West for the young national ballets of both Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Through these initiatives, Nima Kiann emerged not only as a choreographer and historian but as a true impresario of cultural diplomacy—pioneering collaborative models that transcended borders and political divisions. His tireless work introduced the rich ballet traditions of the Caucasus and Central Asia to Western audiences and simultaneously reinvigorated the artistic aspirations of regional companies that had long operated in isolation. In doing so, Kiann firmly positioned Les Ballets Persans as a transnational platform for cultural renewal, intercultural dialogue, and artistic innovation.