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Reviving the Legacy of the Iranian Institutional Dance
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Reviving a Legacy
In 1998, Nima Kiann—a distinguished Iranian-born Swedish ballet dancer, choreographer, visual artist, and dance scholar—embarked on a mission to resurrect the former Iranian National Ballet. His unwavering dedication culminated in the official establishment of Les Ballets Persans in 2001. Collaborating with a diverse array of international performing and visual artists, Kiann meticulously crafted the company’s premiere performance. This monumental event took place on October 7, 2002, in Stockholm, Sweden, marking a significant milestone in the preservation and evolution of Iranian ballet.
A Vision Acknowledged
We revive the past to inspire the future of Iranian dance.Nima Kiann
“… Please allow me to express my admiration for the energy and purposefulness with which you are equipped in order to pursue this project. To give life to an artistic tradition after more than twenty years of interruption demands willpower of the kind that only an indomitable yearning can give…”
A Global Ensemble
The company’s inaugural production was an ambitious endeavor, involving 106 participants from 22 countries. This collaboration has been recognized as one of the most extensive Iranian artistic projects realized outside Iran. Les Ballets Persans has since evolved into an internationally touring ballet company, dedicated to presenting dance productions that intertwine Eastern cultural narratives with the Western ballet repertoire.
Championing Eastern Ballets
A cornerstone of the company’s mission is to promote Eastern ballets. Notably, Les Ballets Persans revived and introduced two significant ballets from the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan — Babek and Seven Beauties — to Western audiences for the first time. These performances not only showcased the rich tapestry of Eastern choreography but also fostered cross-cultural appreciation and understanding.
European Youth Dance Project
In 2007, under Kiann’s guidance, Les Ballets Persans launched the European Youth Dance Project (EYDP). Supported by Swedish and international authorities, this initiative aimed to engage young dancers at the onset of their professional careers, offering them invaluable experience in producing ballet performances with thematic depth. The project has since become a platform for integration, peace, and intercultural dialogue through dance.
Honoring Artistic Excellence
On March 9, 2008, the Toos Foundation organized a Gala Performance in London to celebrate Nima Kiann’s three decades of artistic achievements. An audience exceeding 1,000 attendees honored him with 24 standing ovations during the three-and-a-half-hour performance. He was presented with an award recognizing his relentless efforts to revive and reestablish the Iranian National Ballet through Les Ballets Persans.
Collaborations in Central Asia
Les Ballets Persans has actively collaborated with national ballet companies across Central Asia. In 2012, Kiann was invited to Tajikistan as the Principal Choreographer for the Tajik National Ballet. There, he introduced contemporary dance to Dushanbe’s audiences and choreographed exclusive pieces, enriching the local dance repertoire. This partnership led to the Tajik Ballet’s first appearance in Europe since the Soviet era, facilitating cultural exchange and development.
Continuing this trajectory, Kiann visited Kyrgyzstan in 2014. In collaboration with the National Ballet of Kyrgyzstan, Les Ballets Persans produced a dance performance for Marjan Television Network’s Nowruz program. Supported by the Kyrgyz Ministry of Culture, this initiative marked the beginning of ongoing artistic collaborations and cultural exchanges between the two ballet companies.
A Custodian of Heritage
Today, Les Ballets Persans has transcended its role as a performing company to become an academic forum dedicated to preserving, exploring, and researching Iran’s national heritage of institutional dance. The organization stands ready to enrich Iranian culture by reinstating this invaluable heritage. Upon the restoration of cultural freedoms in Iran, it envisions the reestablishment of a grand National Ballet Company, at which point Les Ballets Persans will have fulfilled its mission, passing the torch to a new era of Iranian ballet.