Rana Gorgani

Rana Gorgani
Born	c. 1986 Germany
Nationality	French
Occupation	Dancer
Years active	2007–present
Known for	Sufi whirling

Rana Gorgani, the Art of Sufi Dance

Rana Gorgani, one of the few female whirling dervishes, elevates Sufi dance to the status of spiritual art. This biography unveils the essence of this virtuoso, sometimes referred to as the high priestess of Sufi dance, although it is not easy to grasp the one who often quotes Rumi to introduce herself: "I am neither from the East, nor from the West, nor from the land, nor from the sea. [...] My place is the non-place; my sign is the non-sign. I am neither body nor soul because I belong to the Soul of souls."

The Reference in Sufi Art

Born in Germany to an Iranian mother and a Kurdish father, Rana grew up in France, where she currently resides. Music was her first encounter with Sufi spirituality as she played the daf, a sacred frame drum of Kurdish origin. Sufism then became the guiding thread of her life and a source of inspiration. Her connection to spirituality is not just a matter of origin, whether through practice or intellect, Rana dedicates her life solely to this singular subject.

Although she joined a Sufi order in her adolescence, it was only in 2017 that she began bringing it onto the artistic stage. After all, as the Sufis say, "A fool does not know he is a fool, a wise man does not say he is wise, and a Sufi does not say he is a Sufi." Sufism not only shapes Rana's thoughts but also nourishes her art and teaching. On stage, during her performances, Rana's dance is an uninterrupted ascending spiral, a movement that genuinely seems to lead to the divine. In her pedagogy, spirituality is present, as Sufi dance cannot be understood outside its context. People from all over the world come to taste this authenticity.

"In Sufi dance, it is a new encounter with oneself that takes place. The movement of the whirling dancer is the emancipation of the soul. This spinning movement sweeps everything away, and the only thing that remains is the breath." - Rana Gorgani

The Quest for Life's Guiding Principle

Born in Germany, Rana studied philosophy and then theater, joining the Conservatoire de Paris. She began her career by teaching this art and performing in various plays. In 2008, during a performance directed by an Iranian, her vocation became clear. The piece included a Persian dance, and Rana realized that she could express who she was through dance. She abandoned everything and started traveling to the East. Many years of learning followed in Iran and its surroundings, where Rana studied Iranian and neighboring dances.

In 2009, she founded the company "L'Œil Persan," the first company to showcase traditional dances from the Persian world in Europe. Prestigious collaborations began to emerge, including with the Guimet Museum for several seasons and with the Institute of the Arab World, as well as cultural actors in Brazil or New York. While the created shows had a Sufi anchor, Rana brought the whirling with restraint. In 2014, to deepen her knowledge of dance, she began a Master's in ethnomusicology and dance anthropology. She moved between Europe, where she continued to perform, and Iran, where she conducted her research among the Qashqa’i, one of the nomadic peoples of the country. Living among them was a new trigger: even though they were not Sufis, they lived daily as Sufi spirituality demands. Rana then realized that everything belongs to everyone. In 2016, with the end of her research, she made a decision: no longer interpret traditional dances. By reproducing these dances that were not hers, she felt like she was disguising herself. If she took the stage, it had to be authentic. Only Sufi dance allowed her to dance like she breathed. With no certainty except that of following her heart, she shed her old practices.

In 2017, her Sufi order ordained her as a master. She refused this status to honor another commitment. She would transmit this spirituality, but through her art. This demanding choice meant she could no longer return to Iran. From now on, she would go to Turkey, where she joined the Mevlevi order, the order of the whirling dervishes.

Following in the Footsteps of Rumi

Regular physical training, teaching Sufi dance and meditation, creating shows, necessary times for rejuvenation, and the opening of a Sufi temple—an unprecedented spiritual and artistic space in France—Rana's schedule is always full. Despite reading in Persian, she always finds time to continue studying the writings of Rumi. All of Rana's teaching is inspired by the spiritual message of this mystic poet from the 13th century who profoundly influenced Sufism. Rumi invites the individual to question the symbolism of love, which, for him, is not a feeling but a quest. The practice of music and dance, a true spiritual path, is the way to open the heart. Other mystic poets like Hafez, Attar, Saadi inspire Rana's creations.

Fruitful Collaborations

Rana's strength lies in bringing Sufi spirituality into unexpected realms. In 2017, she accepted the invitation of Marie-Agnès Gillot, a star of the Opera Ballet, to dance at a carte blanche event in Paris. It was a success and the beginning of many collaborations: Rana danced at the Opéra Garnier under the direction of Dimitri Chamblas for Longchamp's 70th anniversary; she collaborated with the duo Bird on The Wire; she created the Trans-derviche show with the Haïdouti Orkestar group; she gave dance lectures in conservatories; she worked with choreographer Mehdi Kerkouche; alongside Simon Ghraichy, she danced at the Institut de France, the Institute of the Arab World, and the 1001 notes Festival.

Year after year, Rana's art becomes indispensable. Her work is recognized by UNESCO, with whom she participates in numerous conferences and events in Greece or Canada. She shares her practice with a wider audience through the documentary "Les chemins du sacré" by Frédéric Lenoir for ARTE. She is regularly invited to dance and teach at numerous festivals in France and abroad: the "On danse chez vous" Festival at the Théâtre National de Chaillot, the Festival des Suds in Arles, the Balbek Festival in Lebanon, and the Al-Burda Festival in Dubai.

Through her numerous collaborations, each of her performances, and her shared knowledge and skills, Rana is undoubtedly the greatest ambassador of Sufi spirituality in the West.

Aurélie Croiziers de Lacvivier

Références

• 2023

↳Chi è Rana Gorgani, l’unica ballerina derviscia al mondo
​ Ecrit par Eva Luna Mascolino
​ ↳Soirée de soutien aux Iraniennes au Palais de la Porte Dorée à Paris
​ Des femmes, des Iraniennes, des artistes entre autre Rana Gorgani, prennent la parole à Paris, pendant la Journée Internationale des Droits des Femmes
​ ↳Dossier artistique Rana Gorgani
​ Dans son art, Rana Gorgani fusionne l'authenticité et la créativité.
​ ↳Article sur Rana Gorgani sur le site « A ciel Ouvert »
​ Une tradition, une danse, un art..sacré

• 2022

↳« Tourner, c’est de l’énergie pure » : initiation à la (déstabilisante) danse des derviches tourneurs – Article Le Monde
​ Danser, sous une vibration pure, révélée par cette chorégraphie traditionnelle : La Sofie
​ ↳Rana Gorgani : "Beaucoup d’artistes iraniens qui n’osaient pas parler, s’expriment maintenant" – article de Radio France
​ ↳Lebanon’s Baalbek festival back, despite economic collapse
​ A symbol of Lebanese cultural life, the Baalbek Festival is the shining light of this country, as well as of each artist, which is why it must continue to shine.
​ ↳La danseuse soufie Rana Gorgani fait tourner les têtes au Nil – Article Charente
​ Dans sa longue robe blanche, elle valse la soufie..

• 2021

↳Institut du Monde Arabe: Concert exceptionnel en soutien au Festival de Baalbek (Liban) – Article Destimed
​ «Ensemble, célébrons les arts et la musique pour espérer la renaissance du pays du Cèdre et du plus incroyable festival de tout le Moyen-Orient » Cette fois Baalbek a été soutenu par des artistes renommés des quatres coins du monde.
​ ↳La 14e édition du festival Jerk Off – Article de Komitid
​ Cette édition valorise les artistes féminins telles que Véronique Hubert et la danseuse de soufie [Rana Gorganie]
​ ↳France's female dervish
​ The choreographer Gorgani said « It's more than a dance – it's a prayer, an act of devotion to the divine »
​ ↳Rana Gorgani, danseuse soufie – Articles Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes
​ ↳Rana Gorgani, la danse soufie au féminin – Article sur L’Express
​ « Je ne montre pas, je suis moi"» dit la derviche pendant un festival en plein air à Montpellier
​ ↳Rana Gorgani, danseuse soufie : "Tourner pour donner un sens à l'existence" – Article TV5 Monde
​ ↳France's female dervish takes transcendence online – Article de RTL
​ RTL TODAY talk about in their onlinenews.
​ ↳Rana Gorgani, est l'une des rares danseuses soufies à se produire en public

• 2019

↳Retour sur la Nuit Blanche à l’Institut de France
​ Simon Ghraichy le pianiste, en concert et entouré par d'autres artistes tels que Rana Gorgani.
​ ↳Qui est Rana Gorgani ? Article de Chantal Petit clair
​ ↳Soirées Ramadanesques “Sous les étoiles” de l’IFT : Une nuit soufie présentée par la danseuse Rana Gorgani
​ « Un voyage dans le monde des Derviches Tourneurs pour la celebration du mois du Ramadan »
​ ↳Une soirée au Théâtre des Champs-Elysées
​ Un moment artistique avec la collaboration de la danseuse de soufie Rana Gorgani et Simon Ghraichy

• 2015

↳Rencontre - Avec Rana Gorgani : article de l’Est Républicain

• 2011

↳Rana Gorgani, la danse soufie au féminin – Articles Elle
​ « L’âme n'est ni masculine ni féminine » depuis 2011 Rana Gorgani pratique la soufie en public.

Stage-Live Performance

• 2023

Brochure - Participation de Rana Gorgani au Biennale d'Art et de Culture de Mons
Grand Zikr - Cérémonie Soufie
Brochure - Rana Gorgani au festival Le Bel Eté Solidaire et Olympique de la Seine Saint-Denis
Rana Gorgani - Nuit Blanche
Rana Gorgani aux Concerts et Jeux d'eau à Saint Cloud
Rana Gorgani à la Scène ouverte du nouveau Musée - Palais de la Porte Dorée
La Danse de Rana Gorgani au Petit Palais - Konbini
Rana Gorgani à la présentation de "Anahita" de Ariana Vafadari au Café de la Danse
Stage Danse Soufie avec Rana Gorgani - Mucem
Retraite Soufie dans le désert marocain avec Rana Gorgani

• 2022

Sama' La Lumière Exilée à Belfort
Une saisissante performance de Rana Gorgani à la Sama' La Lumière Exilée
L'Orient et l'Occident interrogent le spirituel à travers la musique, le chant et la danse
Spectacle de Rana Gorgani intitulé De l’Orient aux Balkans
Rana Gorgani au Festival de Baalbeck
Baalbek festival shines light on art and culture

• 2021

Baalbek mon amour - Un concert exceptionnel en hommage au Liban
Conférence dansée par Rana Gorgani
Rana Gorgani dans « Dialogue avec Shams »
Création Originale avec Fabien Kanou et Rana Gorgani
Rana Gorgani au Festival Inde/Iran
Haïdouti Orkestar et Rana Gorgani - « Trans Dervish »
Le Tour du Forez au Château d'Essalois
Haïdouti Orkestar et Rana Gorgani - « Trans Dervish »
La rencontre « Trans Dervish » au 360 Paris Music Factory
A la MAC Robert Lieb - Bischwiller
"Baalbek Mon Amour" Concert
Concert hommage pour le Liban par Association-Arcangelo

• 2020

Danse soufie : un ressourcement spirituel
Haïdouti orkestar & Rana Gorgani - La puissance de la musique des Balkans et la transe de la danse soufie
Haïdouti Orkestar et Rana Gorgani à La Closerie - Montreuil-Bellay
Rana Gorgani dans 1001 Notes
Festival 1001 Notes
1001 NOTES dans le LIMOUSIN : Une édition « déconfinée » exceptionnelle pour ses 15 ans
Rana collabore avec de nombreux styles musicaux (classique, jazz, contemporain, balkanique…) ou même différentes compagnies (danse contemporaine, cirque…)
WORLD MUSIC & DANSE SOUFIE

• 2019

Rana Gorgani et les derviches tourneurs
Spectacle musique danse : Haïdouïti Orkestar et Rana Gorgani
Nuit blanche : 6 000 personnes à l’Institut de France
WE'ART CULTURE : Rana Gorgani à l’Acropolium de Carthage dans le cadre de l’octobre musical
13 e édition! Les Aubes dansent derviche
Bach to Sufi dance
Sous les étoiles «La nuit soufie»
Spectacle « Soirée soufie, Nuit Mystique »
Rana Gorgani et Le Petit Haïdouti au Musée Ethnographique de Génève
Spectacle Musique Danse Un duo inédit avec la danseuse iranienne Rana Gorgani

• 2018

DIALOGUES AVEC SHAMS di Matthieu Hocquemiller e Rana Gorgani
«La Voix du Ciel» à l’abbaye
Performance Samâ Derviche Tourneur
Tunisie: Spectacle soufi à l'acropolium de Carthage

• 2017

Sufi dance is a spiritual practice
«Experience Derviche»

External links

• Danse Soufie (Rana Gorgani's web site)
• Rana Gorgani's Facebook
• Rana Gorgani's channel on YouTube

Interview

• Rana Gorgani, pour que tournent les femmes derviches - Courrier international
• L'invitée du jour : La danseuse franco-iranienne Rana Gorgani nous présente son nouveau spectacle - Radiofrance
• Rana Gorgani, la danse soufie au féminin – Agence France-Presse sur Dailymotion
• Sufi Dancer Rana Gorgani - Al Burda Podcast