Photos : Auvo Takkinen
The Autumn Whirling Dance class concluded on December 3, 2024, with an amazing group of participants, musicians, and a dedicated filming and photography team. This was the first weekly Whirling Dance course ever held in Finland, and we at Whirling Arts are incredibly proud to have made it happen. We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Oskar Öflund Foundation for their generous grant, which made it possible for us to organize the course and cover the necessary costs, ensuring it ran smoothly and successfully.
As part of our session routine, the closing ceremony began with breathing exercises, followed by the creation of human mandalas and dance prayer rituals, helping everyone in the circle prepare for the whirling dance meditation. Participants were encouraged to wear white, symbolizing purity and surrender to the divine, to foster a sense of unity within the group. However, attendees were free to participate regardless of their attire, embracing the spirit of inclusivity and openness.
The session was accompanied by an incredible group of musicians: Murat Ermutlu, Melisa Yildrim, Petteri Kallio, and John Millar. Murat and Petteri provided a rhythmic foundation with their drumming, playing from start to finish and creating an enchanting atmosphere that was perfect for participants to embark on their whirling journey. Alongside the drums, Melisa added the ethereal sounds of the kamancha, while John enriched the experience with his flute and ney, blending their instruments into a mesmerizing harmony.
The ceremony concluded with the “Skirt Circle” ritual, where all participants gathered in a circle, and a white skirt was spread in the center. One by one, participants stepped into the middle to whirl, while the others chanted in unison, encouraging and empowering the dancer. This created a powerful experience, as both the chanters and the whirling dancer felt embraced and supported within the safety of the circle.
Amy Wiseman who recently joined the board of Whirling Arts also has written a nice review of her experience at the weekly class;
“Though getting into town on Tuesdays proved endlessly tricky for me, I was able to go to 2-3 classes this fall after attending the August workshop, with the final class on December 3rd being the absolute stand-out class of all of them. It was full of warm, lovely people, incredible and unique musicians, and of course, our brilliant teacher, Safa Solati, who brought us all together and taught us what we need to know about whirling and how it benefits us. There were some new folks, as well as many people who had been there many times before, so we were able to catch up with friends all while making new acquaintances. The final solo spins of the year were honestly magical to witness, with everyone showing a unique side of themselves in their whirl! It was a wonderful way to wrap up the year!”
You may read more on Amy’s website : https://www.bearwiseman.com
Although the funding from the Oskar Öflund Foundation was only sufficient to organize the autumn weekly class, we are excited to announce that the class instructor, Safa Solati, has decided to continue the sessions into 2025. Starting from January 12, the classes will be at 17:15 – 18:15 at Kumpulan Kylatila, Helsinki.