Friday, September 28, 2007

Rumi Fest

The Daily Tar Heel - Chapel Hill, NC, U.S.A.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Chapel Hill and Carrboro communities join the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's celebration of "The Year of Rumi" by offering events that celebrate what would have been the Muslim poet's 800th birthday this week.

The festival, called "Rumi Fest," did kick off at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro at 8:30 p.m. today [Wednesday].

The festival is a part of the Worlds Arts Festival that the ArtsCenter is hosting this year.

The festival is a celebration of the life and works of the 13th-century Muslim poet Mawlana Jalal-ud-Din Balkhi-Rumi, whose teachings emphasize the use of music, dance and poetry as a pathway to inner peace.

The poet's work plays a role in Sufism, a tradition in the Islamic religion. Some Sufis who follow the teachings of Rumi are part of an order known as the Whirling Dervishes.The Dervishes are characterized by the long skirts they wear during ritual prayers that involve spinning in circles with their arms raised.

"The goal of Rumi Fest is to honor the living traditions passed on by the work of Rumi," said Rodrigo Dorfman, one of the festival's organizers, "and by living those traditions, we continue the spirit of unity and brotherhood and sisterhood, a very universal message of peace and humanity."

First event "A Taste of Rumi; A Mystical Sampler," included poetry readings in English and Farsi.

Islamic studies professor Carl Ernst did offer introductory remarks.

But the presentations will not be limited to just poetry.The festival will include a variety of Islamic music, both traditional and modern, and a performance by the Whirling Dervishes.

Workshops on sacred music, drumming and traditional movement will also be given throughout the week to spread knowledge of Sufi practices.

Info: www.rumifest.com

No comments:

Friday, September 28, 2007

Rumi Fest
The Daily Tar Heel - Chapel Hill, NC, U.S.A.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Chapel Hill and Carrboro communities join the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's celebration of "The Year of Rumi" by offering events that celebrate what would have been the Muslim poet's 800th birthday this week.

The festival, called "Rumi Fest," did kick off at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro at 8:30 p.m. today [Wednesday].

The festival is a part of the Worlds Arts Festival that the ArtsCenter is hosting this year.

The festival is a celebration of the life and works of the 13th-century Muslim poet Mawlana Jalal-ud-Din Balkhi-Rumi, whose teachings emphasize the use of music, dance and poetry as a pathway to inner peace.

The poet's work plays a role in Sufism, a tradition in the Islamic religion. Some Sufis who follow the teachings of Rumi are part of an order known as the Whirling Dervishes.The Dervishes are characterized by the long skirts they wear during ritual prayers that involve spinning in circles with their arms raised.

"The goal of Rumi Fest is to honor the living traditions passed on by the work of Rumi," said Rodrigo Dorfman, one of the festival's organizers, "and by living those traditions, we continue the spirit of unity and brotherhood and sisterhood, a very universal message of peace and humanity."

First event "A Taste of Rumi; A Mystical Sampler," included poetry readings in English and Farsi.

Islamic studies professor Carl Ernst did offer introductory remarks.

But the presentations will not be limited to just poetry.The festival will include a variety of Islamic music, both traditional and modern, and a performance by the Whirling Dervishes.

Workshops on sacred music, drumming and traditional movement will also be given throughout the week to spread knowledge of Sufi practices.

Info: www.rumifest.com

No comments: