“O lovers, lovers it is time
to set out from the world.
I hear a drum in my soul’s ear
coming from the depths of the stars.
Our camel driver is at work;
the caravan is being readied.
He asks that we forgive him
for the disturbance he has caused us,
He asks why we travelers are asleep.Everywhere the murmur of departure;
the stars, like candles
thrust at us from behind blue veils,
and as if to make the invisible plain,
a wondrous people have come forth”

Jalāl Rūmī

The performance served as an exultation of the artistic legacy left behind by the visionary Sergei Parajanov—a luminary who transcended boundaries and forged a new artistic paradigm that reverberated throughout Eurasian art. Drawing inspiration from Parajanov’s unparalleled body of work, this remarkable spectacle sought to manifest living collages and breathe life into mesmerizing tableaus, reminiscent of the filmmaker’s indomitable spirit. Guided by the ethereal echoes of Sufi poetry and the intricate tapestries of Eastern ornamentation, this multidimensional endeavor unfolded amidst the resplendent gardens of the Tsinandali estate in Kakheti, Georgia.

Through an exquisite fusion of vibrant colors, captivating movement, and captivating soundscapes, the performances engendered a transformation, transmuting static pictures into dynamic manifestations of artistic expression. As the stage came alive amidst the enchanting splendor of the Tsinandali gardens, the boundaries between reality and imagination became irrevocably blurred, unveiling a realm where the poetic and the visual interweaved in a harmonious dance.

Just as Parajanov infused his films with a boundless spirit of creativity, these performances paid homage to his legacy by summoning his innovative vision and immersive aesthetic. They served as portals into a world where the boundaries of time and space disintegrated, allowing spectators to traverse the multidimensional realm of Parajanov’s imagination.

The synergy between form and content, inspired by Sufi poetry’s spiritual depth and the intricate arabesques of Eastern ornamentation, imbued the performances with a sense of transcendence. Each moment became a testament to the transformative power of art, as the performers wove narratives that transcended language and cultural barriers, resonating with the collective human experience.

In the picturesque environs of the Tsinandali estate, a profound synthesis unfolded—an amalgamation of Parajanov’s visionary oeuvre, the mysticism of Sufi traditions, and the evocative beauty of Eastern decorative motifs. The result was a spellbinding tapestry of sensory stimulation, an invitation for audiences to immerse themselves in a dreamscape where the boundaries of art and reality merged.

This performance embodied an homage to Sergei Parajanov’s artistic legacy, embracing the audacious spirit that defined his career. It celebrated his profound influence on Eurasian art while beckoning viewers to experience the sheer magic that can be wrought when imagination, poetry, and the splendor of the natural world coalesce. In essence, it served as an invitation to step into Parajanov’s realm of artistic transcendence and embrace the transformative power of his vision.

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