Bridging Divides Through Art and Connection with Ari Honarvar

Ari Honarvar is an award-winning writer, speaker, artist, and peacebuilder. As the founder of Rumi With A View, she uses art, music, and Persian mystical poetry to create healing spaces and build bridges between communities divided by conflict and trauma. Ari’s work has been featured in publications such as The Guardian, Teen Vogue, and The New York Times, and she serves as the Iranian Musical Ambassador of Peace.

Ari facilitates "Resilience through Joy" workshops for refugees and volunteers on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border and in Europe. Her critically acclaimed debut novel, A Girl Called Rumi, interweaves Persian mythology with a deeply personal narrative of survival, resilience, and healing, earning accolades such as being a Nautilus Award Winner and one of Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2022. Additionally, Ari is the creator of Rumi's Gift Oracle Deck, an inspiring blend of her translations, meditations, and artwork.

In this episode of Live Free Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson reconnects with Ari after many years to explore her transformative journey. Together, they discuss the intersection of art and activism, the healing power of Persian poetry, and the unique ways Ari inspires unity in a divided world.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Ari’s Journey to Rumi With A View (Starts at 1:00)
  Ari shares their path from growing up in Iran to founding Rumi With A View, combining their love for art, poetry, and community healing.
• The Role of Art in Healing Divides (Starts at 6:00)
  Ari discusses how Persian poetry and music have become tools to bridge cultural and personal divides, fostering unity.
• Creating Safe Spaces for Healing (Starts at 15:30)
  Ari elaborates on their work with war-affected communities, highlighting the importance of creating spaces where art and conversation can lead to transformation.
• Intersection of Mysticism and Activism (Starts at 25:00)
  Learn how Ari’s work intertwines mystical Persian traditions with modern activism to inspire hope and action.
• The Power of Dance and Movement (Starts at 33:15)
  Ari and Rupert reflect on their shared history in ecstatic dance and its role in fostering connection and joy.

Memorable Moments from the Episode:

• Ari shares the story of founding Rumi With A View and its mission to heal divides through art (1:30).
• An inspiring account of using Persian poetry in workshops to help individuals reconnect with their inner selves (20:45).
• Rupert and Ari reminisce about their ecstatic dance experiences and the unique bonds formed through movement (35:00).
• A touching story about a war survivor finding solace in poetry during a challenging time (42:15).
• Reflections on how mystical traditions can inform modern approaches to activism and healing (50:00).

Contact Ari Honarvar:

🌐 Website: https://rumiwithaview.com
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/rumiwithaview
🖋️ Substack: https://arihonarvar.substack.com/
📖 A Girl Called Rumi: https://amzn.to/40iLyIX

See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:

🌐 https://rupertisaacson.com

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