http://flyingcarpetfestival.org/

Flying Carpet Festival, mardin merkez, Mardin (2026)

16/05/2026

We are incredibly excited to introduce Ehsan Kalaki , a virtuoso of the Kamancheh who is redefining the boundaries of his instrument for Flying Carpet 2026! 🎻🌍

Born in Urmia and raised in the musical heartland of Sanandaj, Ehsan began his journey at age 7. After mastering the classical Persian Radif under the guidance of masters like Rashed Babashahabi and Ardeshir Kamkar, he set out on a bold mission: to find a “universal voice” for the Kamancheh.

🎶 A Global Sound from Kurdish Roots
Ehsan’s artistry is a bridge between tradition and the avant-garde. While his heart is deeply connected to the rhythms and narratives of Kurdish culture, his curiosity has led him to master:

• Maqam Traditions: Arabic and Turkish musical systems. 📜
• Fusion & World Music: Blending Eastern soul with Western structures.
• Jazz Kamancheh: Earning him the nickname “Jazzide” among his peers for his innovative improvisations. 🎷🎻

🚀 Breaking Boundaries & Teaching the Next Gen
Ehsan is a true polymath of the strings. He has performed as a soloist in everything from Philharmonic Orchestras to pop, fusion, and traditional ensembles. But his impact goes beyond the stage:

• Masterclass Leader: He has conducted specialized masterclasses on “Regional Music and Performance” at the Universities of Tehran and Isfahan. 🏫
• Educator: He serves as an ensemble teacher at the Sanandaj School of Fine Arts, sharing his vision with the next generation.

At just 22, he has already developed a unique musical language—incorporating new articulations and modern jazz sensibilities into an ancient instrument. He isn’t just playing a melody; he is creating a new identity for the Kamancheh on the world stage.

Welcome to the Flying Carpet, Ehsan jan! 🕊️✨

13/05/2026

Next up for Flying Carpet 2026, we are thrilled to introduce the multi-talented circus artist and social circus advocate, Margherita Kessler—better known to her friends and fans as Maggie stage name; Mega Noise ! 🎪🇮🇹

Maggie’s journey into the circus world began as play, but quickly evolved into a rigorous professional practice. From the historic halls of the University of Bologna to the intensive training grounds of the Cau Circus School in Granada, she has mastered the art of spectacle with a deep, academic heart.

🔥 A Master of the Elements
Margherita is a true “all-rounder” in the circus arts, specializing in:
• Balance & Heights: High wire, stilts, and balancing on bottles. ⚖️
• Aerial Arts: Aerial suspension and acrobatics. ☁️
• Flow Arts: Hula hooping and fire performance. ⭕

🕊️ Circus with a Mission
What makes Margherita truly special is her commitment to Social Circus. Her university thesis focused on the impact of circus in the Gaza Strip, and she remains dedicated to the benefits of these arts for children living in war zones or difficult circumstances. For Maggie, the circus isn’t just about the applause—it’s about healing and transformation.

🛠️ Sparking New Skills
At this year’s festival, Maggie will be sharing her specialized knowledge on juggling with fire. She’ll be taking us behind the scenes to teach the technical craft of how to build professional and safe fire props. 🕯️🔧
Currently living and working in Berlin, Margherita brings a blend of technical mastery and social passion that we can’t wait to see in action.

Welcome to the Flying Carpet family, Maggie! ✨🔥

12/05/2026

We are thrilled to introduce Mana Tashakorinia a cultural worker from Iran whose work invites us to look closer at the world around us. 📽️🪨

Mana’s practice is a beautiful and mysterious exploration of the “fractures” in our everyday stories. She seeks out those moments where authority and dominant narratives feel unsettled—finding magic and resistance in rituals and simple storytelling tools.

🎭 A Unique Toolkit
Mana doesn’t just tell stories; she gathers them from the earth and the imagination. Her creative process involves:
Film & Folklore: Recording the shifting traditions of her heritage. 🎞️

Objects with Soul: Working with stones, puppets, and glass to bridge narrative gaps. 💎🧱
Ritual & Memory: Using ancient tools to question modern authority.

🔍 Finding the "In“Between”
Her work dwells in the gaps—the places where the official story ends and the human experience begins. By blending the tangible (like stones and glass) with the intangible (like memory and myth), Mana creates a space for us to re-examine our own histories.

Mana brings a deep, philosophical, and grounded perspective to Flying Carpet 2026, reminding us that storytelling is one of our most powerful tools for staying human in an unsettled world.

Welcome to the journey, Mana!🕊️✨

11/05/2026

We are so excited to introduce the wonderful Tonka Uzu , a children’s book author, illustrator, and art educator who brings stories to life with heart and whimsy! 📚🎨

Originally from Sofia, Bulgaria, Tonka’s creative path has taken her through Art History studies in Bologna, Italy, to her current home in Cambridge, UK. She is an alumna of the prestigious Cambridge School of Art, where she now inspires the next generation of artists as an associate lecturer. 🎓✨

🖌️ A World of Illustration
Tonka has authored and illustrated several internationally published picturebooks. Her work is rooted in a deep love for observing and drawing children, capturing the small, magical moments of childhood with a gentle and insightful lens.

🤝 The Joy of Collaboration
Tonka believes that art is best shared! She thrives on working with fellow creatives across all disciplines, including:
• Museums & Literary Festivals 🏛️
• Theatre Companies 🎭
• Researchers & Storytellers 🗣️
🕊️ Flying with Us Again

After joining us in 2023, this marks Tonka’s second time attending the Flying Carpet Festival! We are thrilled to have her back to help us illustrate new memories and connect with children through the power of visual storytelling.
Welcome back to the carpet, Tonka! 🎨🌬️

10/05/2026

We are so happy to introduce a long-time member of our musical family for Flying Carpet 2026: the incredible violinist Lydia Umlauf 🎻✨

Lydia’s journey is one of dedication and distance—from growing up on a farm in rural Northern Indiana (commuting every weekend to Chicago for music school!) to performing on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. 🌽➡️🏙️

🎼 From Dallas to the Netherlands
Lydia brings an immense wealth of orchestral experience to the carpet. Her impressive career includes:
• 10 years with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra 🇺🇸
• Her current home with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, where she is the honored Associate Principal Second Violin. 🇳🇱📻

🎞️ Beyond the Strings
When she isn’t performing masterworks, Lydia is a true explorer of the world and the arts. Her passions take her from the deep sea to the quiet corners of a darkroom:
• Film Photography: Capturing the world through an analog lens. 📸

• Deep Sea Exploration: An avid scuba diver. 🤿🐠
• Literature & Travel: Always seeking new stories and horizons. 📚✈️

🕊️ A Flying Carpet Veteran
This marks Lydia’s fourth time participating in the Flying Carpet Festival! Her commitment to our mission and her world-class artistry make her a pillar of this collective. We are overjoyed to have her back for another journey.
Welcome back to the skies, Lydia! 🎻🌬️

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09/05/2026

For Flying Carpet 2026, we are incredibly excited to introduce Bilge Emir , a brilliant illustrator and designer whose work dives deep into the heart of visual storytelling! 🎨🔍
Originally from Ankara and now based in Berlin, Bilge is a graduate of the Weißensee Academy of Art. Her practice isn’t just about making beautiful images—it’s a powerful exploration of power structures, visual representation, and the politics of imagery.

🖼️ A Global Canvas
Bilge’s thought-provoking work has been featured in major anthologies and magazines, and exhibited in prestigious venues across Europe and beyond, including:
• SAVVY Contemporary & nGbK (Berlin) 🏛️
• The Museum of Contemporary Art of Vojvodina
• The Media Majlis Museum 🇶🇦
• Lantz’scher Skulpturenpark (Düsseldorf)

🤝 The Power of the Collective
Beyond her solo achievements, Bilge is a fierce advocate for collective production and self-organized spaces. Since 2021, she has been a vital part of the non-profit association Raumerweiterungshalle, where she contributes to co-organized screenings, workshops, and panels. For Bilge, art is a form of collective labor that thrives when we work together. ✊✨
Whether she is dissecting complex social themes through her illustrations or building community through local workshops, Bilge brings a sharp, insightful, and collaborative spirit to the collective.

Welcome to the rug, Bilge! 🕊️🖌️

08/05/2026

We are thrilled to celebrate a true cornerstone of our community for Flying Carpet 2026—our own incredible Camellia Rashidi ! 💡🎬

A familiar face to many, Camellia is a vital part of our core team and has traveled with the festival many times. Her artistry lives at the magical intersection of image, movement, and light, shaping the very atmosphere of what we do.

🎥 The Language of Light
Camellia’s journey began at the legendary CIDCA in Tehran, leading her to the ENSAV in Toulouse, France. She doesn’t just capture images; she sculpts them. Her expertise spans:

Cinematography: Treating the lens as a language of emotion and silence.

Stage & Lighting Design: Collaborating with dancers, circus artists, and opera productions to create living, breathing spaces. 🎭

Visual Direction: Creating short films that dissolve the boundaries between body, sound, and memory.

🔍 Exploring the Unseen
Currently a fellow at the prestigious Onassis AiR program in Athens, Camellia is deepening her research into the “invisible” dimensions of performance—focusing on the backstage, the technical gestures, and the collective labor that makes the magic possible. 🏗️✨

As a long-time member of the Flying Carpet family, Camellia brings a deep understanding of our mission and a unique ability to shift our attention toward the beauty of what often remains unseen.

We couldn’t do this without you, Camellia! 🎞️🕊️

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07/05/2026

We are honored to introduce Niloufar Shiri , a brilliant kamancheh player, composer, and improviser whose music pushes the boundaries of tradition and modern experimentation! 🎻✨

Originally from Tehran and now a vibrant part of the Twin Cities music scene, Niloufar has crafted a personal sonic language that is as deep as it is daring.

🌌 The Art of Bedāheh
At the heart of Niloufar’s work is bedāheh (improvised music). She masterfully navigates the delicate space between:
• Structure & Spontaneity 🌀
• Tradition & Experimentalism 🧪
• The Familiar & The Unexpected 🌟

🎶 A Personal Sonic Language
Niloufar doesn’t just play the kamancheh; she uses it to explore shifting boundaries and new textures. Her compositions are a journey through sound, weaving classical Iranian roots with a forward-thinking, improvisational spirit that keeps every performance unique and alive.

Her music invites the listener to sit in the “in-between” spaces, where ancient strings meet modern curiosity.
We are so excited to have Niloufar’s unique voice on the carpet! 🕊️🎶

06/05/2026

We are soaring into our Flying Carpet 2026 introductions with the breathtaking talent of Italian circus artist, Delia Ceruti 🎪

A specialist in aerial acrobatics with a deep background in dance and physical theater, Delia transforms the air into her stage. Her performances are a seamless blend of athletic precision and poetic storytelling.

🌍 A Global Performer
Since 2011, Delia has been captivating audiences worldwide, performing with some of the most prestigious names in the industry, including:

Cirque du Soleil 🎭
NoFit State Circus 🎪
My!Laika 🌀

✊ Art with a Message
Delia isn’t just about the spectacle; she’s about the impact. She is currently developing a powerful solo show that uses the language of circus to denounce Fast Fashion and overconsumption, proving that the heights of aerial art can be used to ground us in important social conversations. 🧵🌍

🕊️ A Heart for Mardin
This isn't Del’a’s first journey with us! She first shared her magic in Mardin in 2018, teaching with **Sirkhane**. We are absolutely overjoyed to have her back in the fold to inspire a new generation of flyers.

Welcome back to the carpet, Delia!

05/05/2026

We are thrilled to introduce our true rhythm revolutionary for Flying Carpet 2026: our own professional drummer, educator, and community builder Aaron Kierbel ! 🥁🔥

To support: https://donate.flyingcarpetfestival.org

Aaron is the founder of RhythmALLogy, a dynamic program that uses the power of group drumming to unlock human potential. From Google headquarters to refugee camps in Turkey and inside correctional facilities, Aaron uses his infectious energy and humor to prove that rhythm is a universal language that can connect us all.

🌍 A World of Rhythm
With over 30 years behind the kit, Aaron’s sound is a global tapestry. He has toured 30+ countries and studied under master drummers in:
• Ghana & Cuba 🇬🇭 🇨🇺
• Puerto Rico & Peru 🇵🇷 🇵🇪
• Colombia 🇨🇴
You may have heard his incredible pocket performing or recording with acclaimed groups like Rupa and the April Fishes, The Jazz Mafia, Orchestra Gold, and the SF Mime Troupe.

🎬 Beyond the Drum Kit
Aaron’s creativity doesn’t stop at music! He is also an award-winning stop-motion animator and the founder of Chicha Films. His unique animated shorts have garnered multiple awards and even been featured on Democracy Now! 🎞️✨

Whether he’s leading a drum circle of hundreds or meticulously moving a frame in an animation, Aaron is a master of movement, timing, and community.
Get ready to feel the beat—welcome, Aaron ! 🙌🥁

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04/05/2026

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome back our own Aida Noshali to the Flying Carpet 2026 family! 🌍✨

To support: https://donate.flyingcarpetfestival.org

Aida is a gifted Iranian writer and storyteller whose imagination knows no bounds. From the frames of animated features to the pages of gripping comics, she crafts entire universes that connect and inspire audiences across borders.

🎬 Animation & Big Screen Dreams
Aida is currently making waves in the world of international animation. Her impressive portfolio includes:
• The Dragon’s Treasure: Writing for this major animated feature, a collaboration between Hoorakhsh Studios (Iran) and Mystic House Production (Canada). 🐉
• Juliet and the King: Serving as assistant writer on this enchanting project, further cementing her place in high-level storytelling.

📚 Comic Book Worlds
Beyond the screen, Aida is the author of two powerful comics, 7.13 and Immortal Throne. Her ability to create vivid characters and narratives that resonate deeply with readers proves that for Aida, writing is a bridge between the personal and the fantastic. ✍️📖

For Aida, every story is a chance to spark a connection. We can’t wait to see the storytelling magic she brings to the collective this year!

Welcome to the journey, Aida! 🎨✨

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