BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. On November 1,
the dance production "Thikra: Night of Remembering" was performed
at the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theater as part of
the Baku International Arts Festival (BIAF-2026).
First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban
Aliyeva, along with her family members, watched the
performance.
"Thikra: Night of Remembering", the latest work by acclaimed
director and choreographer Akram Khan, was commissioned by Wadi
AlFann, a global destination for contemporary art based in Al-Ula,
Saudi Arabia.
Created in collaboration with award-winning visual artist Manal
Al-Dowayan, Akram Khan Company’s final touring production draws on
the ancient landscapes, mythology and cultural heritage of
Al-Ula.
Through sacred rituals and shared recollections, an all-female
ensemble transcend the boundaries of time, bridging past and
present to invoke an act of spiritual renewal.
The production features an original score by Indian-American
singer and composer Aditya Prakash.
The visual aesthetics of the play were created by "Wadi AlFann"
artist Manal Al-Dowayan, renowned for her large-scale multimedia
installation featured at the Saudi Arabian pavilion during the 60th
Venice Biennale.
In the Thikra project, the artist blends traditional
craftsmanship with contemporary forms. Natural dyes mirror the
color palette of the desert, while geometric motifs rooted in
Al-Ula’s heritage highlight the symbolic role and significance of
each character.
The production draws on the ancient landscapes, mythology and
cultural heritage of Al-Ula. The site-specific world premiere of
the play was presented in January 2025.
