Rana Gorgani: Dancing Sufi Revolutionary Amid Tehran Turmoil
As Tehran observes three days of funerals for Ali Khamenei, internationally recognized choreographer Rana Gorgani dances. She is one of the world's few female whirling dervishes, performing 'Operation Epic Fury'—named after Donald Trump's military operation against Iran—amidst drones and missiles. Born in Germany to an Iranian mother and Kurdish father, exiled in France, Gorgani states: 'We dance not just to move, but to shake the foundations of what imprisons us.' She challenges the dual taboos of being both woman and Sufi. The article also mentions programming with Shadi Fathi and Bijan Chemirani titled 'Azâdi.'
Key facts
- Tehran is holding three days of funerals for Ali Khamenei.
- Rana Gorgani is an internationally recognized choreographer and one of the few female whirling dervishes.
- She is performing a piece called 'Operation Epic Fury,' referencing Donald Trump's military operation against Iran.
- Gorgani was born in Germany to an Iranian mother and Kurdish father, and now lives in exile in France.
- She states: 'We dance not just to move, but to shake the foundations of what imprisons us.'
- The article mentions Shadi Fathi and Bijan Chemirani with a program titled 'Azâdi.'
- The context includes drones and missiles in Tehran.
- The original publication date is July 5, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Rana Gorgani
- Shadi Fathi
- Bijan Chemirani
Institutions
- RFI
Locations
- Tehran
- Iran
- Germany
- France