Touring Exhibition
Iranian Institutional Dance: A Living Legend
An upcoming touring exhibition, starting at the end of 2026, will showcase the art of Iranian institutional dance and its history. Featuring materials from the Iranian National Ballet Company, it aims to restore a lost cultural legacy.
Preserving a Cultural Legacy Through Exhibition
Around the world, dance museums and archives play a vital role in safeguarding and showcasing the rich tapestry of human movement and expression. Institutions like the Jerome Robbins Dance Division at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, the Jacob’s Pillow Archives, Dance Museum in Stockholm and the Musée de la Danse in France serve as repositories for costumes, photographs, films, documents, and other artifacts that tell the stories of diverse dance traditions. Their mission is to preserve these materials for posterity, make them accessible to researchers and the public, and celebrate the cultural significance of dance.
In Iran, however, the story of institutional dance—particularly ballet—has been marked by disruption and loss. The Iranian National Ballet Company, a vibrant force in the nation’s cultural life, was disbanded following the 1979 Revolution, and its archives were tragically destroyed. Today, the concept of a dedicated dance museum in Iran remains an unrealized dream. In the absence of a physical space for preservation and exhibition within the country, a unique opportunity has emerged to share this forgotten heritage with the world: a touring exhibition of the art of Iranian institutional dance and its history.
An Unprecedented Journey into a Lost World
This unprecedented exhibition, commencing at the end of 2026, will present a rare and comprehensive collection of materials from the dissolved Iranian National Ballet Company, along with other significant documents and artifacts. Curated from the recently unveiled Saghabashi Collection—an invaluable archive generously donated to Les Ballets Persans—this tour will offer international audiences an intimate glimpse into a lost chapter of Iranian cultural history.
A lost legacy, now found and shared, a dance of history.Nima Kiann
Curating this exhibition is not merely an act of historical preservation; it is an act of cultural resuscitation. It aims to bring to light the artistic achievements, the creative processes, and the human stories behind Iran’s institutional dance movement. Through meticulously selected photographs, original costume designs, rare film footage, personal letters, and other ephemera, the exhibition will unfold a narrative of artistic ambition, innovation, and resilience.
Restoring Cultural Memory for Future Generations
This touring exhibition will serve as a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of Iranian institutional dance, revealing its connections to global ballet traditions while highlighting its unique characteristics and contributions. It is an invitation to explore a hidden world of artistic expression, to understand its historical context, and to appreciate its cultural significance. By curating and sharing these artifacts, Les Ballets Persans seeks to ensure that the art of Iranian institutional dance is not only remembered but also celebrated and studied for generations to come.
This is more than just an exhibition; it is a journey into a forgotten artistic realm, an endeavor to restore a vital part of Iran’s cultural memory, and a tribute to the artists who dedicated their lives to this art form. We invite you to join us as we embark on this extraordinary journey, bringing the art of Iranian institutional dance to the world’s stage.