WHIRLING DERVISHES OF DAMASCUS – A SUFI JOURNEY IN WROCŁAW

The Whirling Dervishes of Damascus invite Wrocław audiences into a world where song, rhythm and movement tell a single story. Rooted in the Mawlawi tradition, the Syrian ensemble appears at Impart Centrum with guest singer Noureddine Khourchid, a distinguished performer of Quranic chant. The dancers' hypnotic turning unfolds alongside the voices of the cantors and traditional instruments, revealing the spiritual dimension of Sufi music. This performance offers a way to experience dance as an act of concentration and shared feeling. Its power lies in the recurring pulse, attentive listening and the close connection between every member of the ensemble.

Sufi music and the whirling dervish tradition

This ensemble, composed of nine munhid cantors, is known for its professional approach and fluent performance of classical Sufi music. They have presented their musical performances on stages around the world. Dancers from the Mawlawi brotherhood perform with the ensemble.

The Mawlawi brotherhood and meditation in motion

The founder of the Mawlawi brotherhood is considered to be Jalaluddin Rumi – a Sufi mystic and poet, called Mevlana by his disciples, which translates as "Our Master." The common name of the Mevlevites – whirling dervishes – comes from their specific way of expressing worship to God. They pray to God in an interesting way – through dance.

A characteristic feature of this gathering is meditation in motion, performed through a series of dance figures, the most spectacular of which is the dancers' spinning around their own axes. Hence the name – whirling dervishes. This spinning is meant to imitate the movement of heavenly bodies, which – according to Mevlevite belief – causes a growing love for God within the soul. During the dance, the dervishes practically lose themselves in it, experiencing it intensely. Through it, they express their unity with God. The purpose of the dance is to achieve a spiritual trance.

In Wrocław the band will perform with the following members:

Noureddin KHOURCHID: Lead Voice

Abdulrahman MODAWAR : Solo, Choirs & Riqq

Mohamad KAHIL: Solo, choirs & Duff

Hassan ARBACH : Solo & choirs

Adel HALIMA : Choirs

Hamdi MALAS : Choirs & Duff

Mohamad KODMANI: Oud

Hatem ALJAMAL : Whirling dervish

Yazan ALJAMAL: Whirling dervish

Ahmad ALTAIR: Whirling dervish

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