ILLUME EXCLUSIVE: FLYING FREE - Soaring Past Stereotypes of Afghan Women

Choreographer Miriam Peretz says the news media too often only shows the "the bad, the ugly and the evil" of Afghanistan, a country that has been engaged in conflict and war, on and off since the 1970s. The dance troupe, Ballet Afsaneh is working to change those perceptions through the arts.

Afsaneh means, "mystic story." Their story began when they formed in 1986, but their big push came after the Taliban took power and began to put limits on art and culture.

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ballet Afsaneh travels to venues and festivals around the world, performing Ataan, the traditional Afghan dance. Now, these women are taking it upon themselves to break down stereotypes and to keep ancient traditions alive.

Here is the world premiere of the Ataan Parwaz - Fly Free. Accompanied by world class masters of Afghan music, Homayun Sakhi and Salar Nader.

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• FLY
• FREE

[KaisWaLeyla]

super!!!!!!!!!