Dance Workshops from the Caucasus: Flow Like Water, Burn Like Fire!

A Dance Journey into the Heart of the Caucasus

As part of the Extravadanza! Festival, organized by Association Akhtar, two unique workshops invite you to explore the powerful and poetic dance traditions of the Caucasus.

Friday, June 13 & Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Geneva

Step into the dances of the Caucasus with Mariya Khan, dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in Geneva. Maria teaches regularly at the Ateliers d’ethnomusicologie (ADEM) and shares these living traditions with passion, precision, and generosity.
Through two complementary workshops, Mariya invites you to discover the striking contrasts of the dances of the Caucasus - from high intensity to graceful stillness.

Friday, June 13 (6:30 PM - 9:00 PM): 'The Fire of the Caucasus'
A dynamic, exhilarating workshop designed to awaken your grounding, agility, and inner strength.
Inspired by the virtuosic dances of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and the North Caucasus, this workshop will teach rapid sequences, sharp turns, gliding steps, and a deep focus on energy control.
A joyful, physical exploration of the fiery forces that live within mountain dances - and inside you!

Sunday, June 15 (4:00 PM - 6:15 PM): 'The Sources of the Caucasus'
This second workshop invites you to slow down, refine your movement, and dance like water flowing.
You’ll explore the elegant, majestic slow dances of the Caucasus: the restrained nobility of Kartuli (Georgia), the playful gestures (naz) of Azerbaijani women’s dances, and the silky, fluid movements of Chechen traditions.
Posture, arm placement, hand work, subtle footwork - every detail matters in reaching the quiet elegance and poetic flow of these dances.

Two energies, two rhythms - one journey into the living dance heritage of the Caucasus.

These workshops are open to all levels: beginners and experienced dancers welcome!
Location: Maison des Arts du Grütli – Studio Noemi (2nd floor)
Reservation required via our online ticketing platform