OBEY Convention's mission statement says that the event's "only consistent theme is a spirit of adventure and innovation." Fitting then, that the convention will be capped off by a performance by the Halifax Rumi Ensemble, a local collective of artists who are taking part in an ongoing, international musical collaboration that celebrates the life and work of 13th century Sufi mystic alal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi.
The Silk Road Project is a performing arts non-profit founded in 1998 by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, in an effort to share art and education across borders and genres. In 2009, Ma requested that artists around the world create music celebrating the life and spirit of Rumi, on the 800th anniversary of his death. Saeed Foroughi was only too happy to answer this call. Foroughi, the Halifax Rumi Ensemble's founder, has composed six original pieces to be accompanied by recitations of Rumi's poetry. He hopes that the performance will give the OBEY audience "gleams of universality of Rumi's poetry and his life," and believes that the "compositions will reflect on the unity of the world which is the most essential prerequisite for the world peace."
Inspired by the prolific Persian's massive output (Rumi is often refered to as the most popular poet in the United States, an impressive feat for someone who lived halfway around the world almost 900 years ago), Foroughi promises that the Ensemble will fill The Maritime Conservatory with music that "unites the classical poetry of Rumi with the stunning collaboration of inventive artists, as they bring the lyrical and spiritual power of Rumi to life."
Sunday, May 25 at 7:30pm
Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts
