A Letter from Anthony Shay, Founding Artistic Director, AVAZ International Dance Theatre.

Dear Colleagues and Friends:

In memory of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, let us, the dance community throughout the United States, contribute to memorializing those who died in that terrifying event that forever changed all of our lives. I want to introduce "Funeral for a Fallen Hero," a work created by Jamal, the Artistic Director and Choreographer of AVAZ International Dance Theatre. I find that this deeply moving choreography, with its simple gestures of grief and lamentation, provides the viewer with a space for contemplation appropriate to the occasion of the tragedy. Victoria Looseleaf, Los Angeles Times dance critic (November 8, 1999, Section F), wrote "A haunting quality permeated the funeral dance, with black-clad men and women creating a somber pageantry in circle formations and spatial lines."


I propose that dance communities across America nationally perform Jamal's moving piece, "Funeral for a Fallen Hero," a contemporary vision of an ancient rite from Luristan. I think that every community in the United States will want to hold a memorial for the fallen to mark that day. In this way, the dance community can make a significant contribution by performing in several locations at the designated time to commemorate the events of September 11. This will be a sign of our solidarity. It is especially poignant that Jamal, an Iranian-born American, created the piece before the tragic happenings in New York City, but it is extremely appropriate that this work be the American dance community's contribution to the memory of those that lost their lives that terrible day.


The work, while deeply moving and filled with pathos, can be performed by both professional dance companies and community dance groups. Originally part of a twenty-minute suite, the funeral segment lasts 6 minutes and 20 seconds. Jamal has generously offered his services to come and teach the work for free. The piece can be performed with groups that have a minimum of 8 women and four men to a maximum of up-to a hundred performers, if a community wants a large-scale collaboration between local dance groups. Jamal will provide a notation of the choreography. Jamal suggests that the performers all dress in simple white clothing, with perhaps their own dance company's logo on the shirt or a small American flag. Jamal can teach the work within one day. Jamal will give permission for any interested group to keep the piece in their company repertoire so that we never forget this tragedy. When we come together in dance, we can show our strength to keep peace alive.

To see the video please click here. Thank You!