The Fountain of Core Connection
OUR MISSION: Bridging the Divide
In an era where humanity is overwhelmed by information and possibilities, there is a profound disconnect with the ware kern van het zijn (true core of existence). Dissatisfaction, ailments, and a feeling of emptiness often stem from this gap between ‘who we truly are’ and ‘who we are conditioned to think we are’.
Stichting Fara Tekan Nursu (established in June 2022 in the Nederlanden) is the fountain committed to closing this gap. We offer a valuable portal for creating a fruitful world, in connection with our deepest being. We achieve this by integrating Persian Mysticism and ancient wisdom with contemporary art techniques (film, performing arts, multidisciplinary performances, and training) to restore balance, health, and true joy of life. Our philosophy is rooted in wisdom, but executed with a fresh, current perspective, aligned with the modern cultural climate.
Our services converge in the powerful 3C-Program (Consciousness, Creativity, Compassion), a Self-Mastery Program (SMP) designed to achieve the unification of body, mind, and soul.
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Guide to Light and Unity
LUMINARA is the name for FARA TEKAN NURSU’s ongoing programmes and serves as the pilot for our upcoming large-scale projects. LUMINARA embodies the mission to spread the seeds of a fulfilling life, light, and ancient wisdom.
It is a dynamic stream of transcendent performances, workshops, and trainings that, through mastery of stage and visual art combined with specialized skills, create a new space. The performances utilize modern artistic and technological means to create collective experiments and guide the ‘inner leap of humanity’.
LUMINARA is the path to Moksha (liberation) and unity on earth, in line with our stichtingsdoelen (foundation goals): promoting Persian mysticism and contributing to the unification of art and wisdom in a manner relevant to the modern audience.
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OUR METHOD & PRACTICE
The Fara Tekan Nursu Flow-Method is the process-oriented approach and fundamental inspiration for the LUMINARA project, developed by Sara Behrad and Farhad Foroutanian.
Core Principles / Kernprincipes Description
Authenticity and Spontaneity The method departs from intuïtie (intuition), bodily impulses, and spontaneous interaction, without a fixed structure or script. Art must arise from an authentic source, rooted in the reality of the moment.
Timelessness and Presence It invites radical presence in the moment, aiming to release ego, judgement, and control to make space for spontaneous creativity and sensory truth (zintuiglijke waarachtigheid).
Knowledge Carrier The body (het lichaam) is viewed as a knowledge carrier. The method uses movement, breath, and voice to express a deep inner language.
Conceptual Foundation The method is deeply rooted in Persian Mysticism (themes like love, surrender, and inner transformation), serving as an ‘inner compass’ for creating collective and meaningful experiences.
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LUMINARA: The Living Laboratory
LUMINARA is the experimental, artistic research programme and ‘living laboratory’ that puts the Fara Tekan Nursu Flow-Method into practice.
• LIVING CREATION: LUMINARA creates a transcendental/multidisciplinary stage where art is not reproduced but re-born in the moment through improvisation using dance/impulsive movement, live music, sound, and projection.
• REMOVING BOUNDARIES: It removes false boundaries between maker, performer, and audience. The process begins with attunement with the audience, leading to a ‘momentum’ of high frequency.
• SOCIAL RELEVANCE: The focus is on collective experience and physical expression, engaging with current social and existential themes relevant in a digitally-obsessed society.
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OUR ROOTS: A History of Free Motion
The foundation is built upon a unique history rooted in the underground performance practice in Iran, where founders Sara Behrad and Farhad Foroutanian developed their vision:
• Live Theatre Academy (2014, Tehran): After their Master’s studies in Nederland, Sara and Farhad founded this academy—a crucial, though constrained, space where performance and visual art were combined to train young artists.
• FARA TEKAN & Free Motion (2016): The core concept FARA TEKAN emerged here. These were intimate, improvised performances—stille rituelen van verzet (silent rituals of resistance).
Sara’s work with movement and dance, known as Free Motion, circumvented the dance ban through collaborations with the Nederlandse ambassade (Dutch Embassy), instilling in the foundation the mentality of the right to free expressions.
In 2019, Sara and Farhad relocated to the Nederlanden to internationalize the FARA TEKAN-Method and the LUMINARA projects, and to spread their free, open artistic practice globally.
THE TEAM: Artistic Direction & Leadership
Sara Behrad: Performer, Mystic & Flow Leader
Sara Behrad (b. 1979, Iran) embodies the fusion of art and inner wisdom. After graduating in Acting, Directing, and Scriptwriting from the Theateruniversiteit van Teheran (1998–2002), she continued her studies at the Stanislavsky school and received her Master in Theater from DASARTS, Amsterdam (2012–2014). Her path to dance, including training in movement improvisation, was driven by her belief in dance as a fundamental human right. Her artistic leadership is deeply rooted in spiritual research, studying Vedische, Chi- en Mantra-meditaties and Feng Shui Tibetan wisdom. She is the Co-Founder of FARA TEKAN (2016) and Live Theatre Academy (2014).
Farhad Foroutanian: Visual artist, Theatre Maker & Bridge Builder
Farhad Foroutanian (b. 1957, Iran) is an experienced theatre maker and concept thinker with a rich international career. After starting as an actor and studying Fine Arts in Tehran, he became a professional visual artist and cartoonist for international publishers, including the Dutch Vrij Nederland and Rotterdams Dagblad. He emigrated to the Nederlanden in 1986, founded ACT Theatre Company, and became a pioneer of Interactief Theater (Interactive Theatre). He co-founded Live Theatre Academy (2014) and FARA TEKAN (2016). Since returning to the Nederlanden in 2019, he focuses on internationalizing the FARA TEKAN-Method through LUMINARA.
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THE BOARD / HET BESTUUR
The Stichting is governed by a Bestuur with diverse and relevant expertise.
Bas van der Schot: Voorzitter (Chair)
As a renowned political cartoonist for publications including de Volkskrant, Bas van der Schot brings sharp social and critical insight. He recognises the urgent need to close the gap between humanity and its core, and actively supports the LUMINARA project as an innovative platform translating profound wisdom into contemporary art forms. He sees the Stichting as a necessary voice advocating for authenticity and unity in a politically divided time.
Maretta Johnson: Bestuurslid (Board Member)
Is an expert in intercultural communication, diversity, and inclusion, with extensive experience in developing programmes and training for cultural sensitivity and connection (as seen in her work for the Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken and the education sector). Maretta is driven by the mission to promote eenheid (unity) and sees LUMINARA as a powerful tool to bring people from different cultures together through shared, sensory experiences. She reinforces the inclusive, cross-border character of the Stichting.
