Ziya Azazi was born in Antakya in 1969. After graduating from Istanbul Technical University with a degree in Mining Engineering, he pursued dance training and performed as a dancer at Istanbul City Theatres from 1990–1994, during which he created his first choreographies. From 1994–2000, he worked with various dance groups in Vienna and was awarded a Dance Weber scholarship in 1999. Ballet International Magazine also recognized him as ‘The Most Outstanding Dancer of the Year in Austria’.
Since 1999, Azazi has been practicing whirling, a Sufi dance and has developed various choreographies to interpret this dance. He has also expanded his repertoire and teaching through Dervish in Progress (DIP), which he established over the years and has collaborated with artists from diverse disciplines such as Sebastian Prantl, Ismael Ivo, Marcia Haydee, Yoshi Oida, Jan Fabre, Thierry Smits, Kayhan Kalhor, Parastou Forouhar, Thimios Atzakas, Miguel Angel Berna, Claudio Bettinelli, Serge Adams, Zad Moultaka, Mercan Dede, Sertab Erener, Sabri Tulug Tirpan, Mehmet Balkan, Burhan Öcal, Yilmaz Erdogan and Baba Zula.
Azazi’s projects, including Dervish in Progress, Azab, Dervish, Icons, Energy, Ember, Bolero, Neo Dervish and Kismet, showcase his unique dance terminology and incorporate various art forms, unconventional ideas, mechanical and technological elements. His performances have been presented in over 50 countries in the past 30 years. He has also performed at special events for royal families in Denmark, Morocco, the Netherlands, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Azazi has conducted workshops and retreats to teach his dance terminology and techniques in 35 countries worldwide. The two-year DIP Instructor Training program (DIPTEP), which began in 2018, has trained more than 30 instructors who have completed the Fundamentals program and 15 instructors who have completed the Formation program.
Although the pandemic has caused disruptions, preparations for training the 3rd and 4th generations of instructors are ongoing. Azazi has also presented his work to academic and institutional circles for the past decade, including at London Goldsmiths, Istanbul Culture, Vienna Music and Performing Arts Universities, Istanbul TEDx and Joyology Talks. Until the onset of the pandemic, Azazi’s yearly average included 45 performances, 10 workshops, 2 collaborations, 1 project, 1 presentation, and 35 trips to 15 countries. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, he continues to engage in international performances, retreats, workshops, projects and trainings in various forms. To see a complete list of the artist’s events and performances please visit his homepage or social media accounts.
13.06.2024
