Persian Dance with its long roots in cultural expression has served as a tool for resistance during the different eras in Iran. It is not only an art form but it has also become a way to start conversations in global communities where the Iranian Diaspora has taken leadership of this form and the ways it is taking part to bring peace between the cultures. This Paper tracks the history of Persian dance in three different Dynasties, and how dancers navigate the borders of illegality of the art form in a post Islamic revolutionary Iran. I argue that Persian dance is not only an art form but also a tradition of leadership that fosters solidarity not only among Iranians but also others, connections in Diaspora, and collective resistance against cultural erasure through artistry based on scholarly research, interviews, and personal experience. This connects with the conference theme of Global Citizenship and Education for Peace and Leadership, and how Persian Dance can be a force for personal and collective liberation

Authors:
Shahrzad Hamzeh, The University of Texas at Dallas, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Shahrzad Hamzeh is a PhD candidate in Visual and Performing Arts at UT Dallas. Her research and creative work explore the intersections of Persian dance, memory, and cultural identity, with a focus on the body as a site of resistance and healing.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahrzad-hamzeh-4b48a3218/

Additional website of interest
https://www.instagram.com/shahrzad_hamzeh/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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