RUMI
VOICE OF THE HEART

"Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and frightened
Don't open the door to the study and begin reading.
Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground."

Rumi's words have an almost magical ability to speak directly to the heart of people of all races and faiths. His passionate, wise and beautiful words still have a remarkable ability to touch contemporary audiences - firing the imagination and nourishing the heart.

Called 'Jelaluddin Balkhi' by the Persians and Afghans, Rumi was born on September 30, 1207 to a learned family in Balkh, Afghanistan. By age 24, his mastery of mathematics, law, philosophy and astronomy allowed him to take over his father's position as leading Sheikh in the Sufi learning community in Konya.

Rumi was a philosopher and mystic within the Islamic tradition, but was not an orthodox Muslim. His doctrine was one of unlimited tolerance, positive reasoning, goodness, charity and awareness through love.

Ashely Ramsden is the Director of 'The School of Storytelling' at Emerson College in Sussex and is one of the first European performers of Coleman Barks' modern translations of Rumi's work. He has taken Rumi's stories and poems to audiences across the world, and this year has offered performances and workshops in Europe, South Africa, United States and Australia. More information: www.rumitour.co.uk

"…vivid and highly engaging.." The Independent

"Last Saturday night was sheer wonder. The love, the beauty, the passion, the knowledge and the majesty of Rumi was alive and present!" Audience member