Persian Dance

Ballet Afsaneh performing with Nejad World Music for Norouz 2008 at San Francisco City Hall, Opening Ceremony with mayor Gavin Newsom. "Ode to the Goddess Anahita: Dance of Nature - Sound of Creation" Celebrating the rebirth of nature and the renewed hopes of spring, the Opening Ceremony performance for Norouz 2008 is dedicated to the powerful goddess Anahita -- the great mother goddess or Mother Nature -- venerated and worshipped in many cultures and by many names, since prehistoric times. In Persian mythology Anahita rules the waters and the fertility of the earth. Her sacred animals are the peacock and the dove. In this performance, created by Sharlyn Sawyer of Ballet Afsaneh in collaboration with music composer Mohammad Nejad and the Nejad World Music Center orchestra, the ancient Persian icons are portrayed, along with the folk dance of the Gilan region in present day Iran, a region known for its agricultural bounty. The celebration of Norouz marked the first day of the year in historic times. It is a celebration of our renewed hopes, the dream of a world at peace, and in harmony with nature. Bahar o Maad -- Bahar o Maad Spring has come, Spring has come! Bringing flowers and joy to the world, Celebrate the rebirth of nature and life everlasting! --- Rumi Sharlyn Sawyer, Artistic Director - Choreographer Mohammad Nejad, Music Director - Composer