1001 nights society - events - contact us - about us - workshops

Salam, Merhaba, Hosgeldiniz, Greetings

We are a cultural, charity society based at the University of Bath, Bath, UK. We organize Persian, Egyptian and Turkish dance/music workshops and cultural events,

Spirit behind 1001 Nights Society

The name '1001 Nights' was chosen after a famous Persian tale. The idea behind this society is to explore the diversity, spirit and richness of the cultures in eastern part of the Mediterranean (Persia,Anatolia, Arabia, North Africa) and create a showcase to celebrate these cultures by bringing the various cultural aspects together such as dance, music, poetry, literature and visual arts.

The society is established inthe year 2000 at the University of Bath, UK, since then organizes regular weekly dance workshops and cultural events such as Norwooz Celebrations, Yalda Nights, Global Nights and very very popular annual party ‘1001 Nights Extravaganza’ where dance shows in an exotically decorated atmosphere combined with visual and light shows.

In these events as well as professional dancers,the society dancers perform both traditional and choreographic dances taught in the workshops.

For the last two years 1001 Nights Extravaganza event has been combined with a day workshop where the celebrity dance tutors give dance classes during the day then perform at the Extravaganza event in the evening.

CHARITY ASPECT OF The 1001 Nights Society

In the 1001 Nights Society, we are also very much in touch with reality and share strong feelings towards people who are in desperate situation around the world. All proceeds of 1001 Night Society events and activities are donated to an independent, humanitarian medical aid organization ‘Medecins Sans Frontieres’, MSF, (www.msf.org).

The Society has raised around £4000 for MSF so far, thanks to all participants, members and supporters.

The poem below by Persian humanist poet Sa'adi (12th century) will explain the reason why who have chosen MSF:

“Adam’s children are members of each other,
In essence- from the same father and mother,
If one feels pain in one’s chest
The rest are restless at best!..."

Workshops

In our regular weekly workshops we teach folkloric and traditional and modern styles and create authentic choreographies that are performed in our charity events as well as local festivals, and middle eastern celebrations (i.e., Persian New Year, Yalda Nights). Our dance group can also perform in private events such as weddings, birthdays and anniversaries.We continuously recruit dancers that are willing to perform with us. If you are interested to be involved as a dancer please contact us.

(All the pictures on this website is taken at the 1001 Nights events by official photographers of the 1001 Nights Society.)