Dervish in Progress’ workshop by Ziya Azazi

CAIRO – 17 September 2017: Cairo Contemporary Dance Center (CCDC) will hold a workshop with Ziya Azazi named “Dervish in Progress” inspired by traditional whirling dervish techniques, with a mix of tango and contemporary dance on October 6 and October 7.

This workshop will allow participants to push their limits by spinning individually and in group formation, allowing them to explore their ability to gain control of their bodies while moving. The workshop aims to develop one’s physical, emotional and mental awareness though whirling.

Dervish dance techniques include an action called Samaa. It is a religious dance technique that expresses emotions and devotion to God often practiced by dervish ‘tareeqa’ order in Sufism and other Sufi orders.

This dance technique gave birth to the Egyptian adaptation of the dance known as “Tanoura” which is inspired by Mawlawiyah, a Sufi order.

Born in 1969 in Antakya, Turkey, Azazi studied gymnastics in university and worked at the Istanbul City Theaters. He has been based in Vienna since 1994.

Azazi was regarded as “The Most Outstanding Dancer of the Year in Austria” by the Ballet International Magazine. He also performed at Vienna Volksoper, Theaterhaus Stuttgart, and Grand Théâtre de Genéve.

In 1999, his interest in Sufi dancing rose and he began self-studying along with choreographing many interpretations. "Work in Progress I & II" were his first solo performances in Vienna.

His other chorographical work includes "Dervish in Progress", "’Azab", "Icons", “Ember", "Energy", "Bolero Bergamo" and "Neo Dervish".