S6E21 Soul Talk with Sufi Artist & Musician Azima Melita Kolin

Azima Melita Kolin, is a truly remarkable woman. Her life journey and connection to Sufism and Rumi Poetry, painting and classical music. She was born in Sofia, the capitol of Bulgaria, and began her studies at the Musical Academy in Sofia, graduated at the Academia ‘Santa Cecilia’ in Rome; and received a prize for virtuosity with distinction at Geneva Conservatory. After winning prizes at the international competitions in Leipzig, Barcelona and Toarmina, she has given many recitals in Europe. She directed and ran a Chamber Music Festival for ten years in Dunvegan, Isle of Skye.

In 1997 inspired by the 13th century Persian mystical poet Jelaludin Rumi, Azima began a series of concert and poetry readings, combining Rumi's poems with classical music by Bach, Beethoven, Scriabin and Brahms. In a joint effort with readers of various nationalitiesshe has given hundred concerts in England, Scotland, Germany and Spain. In November 2001 in collaboration with Persian artists they performed in Queen Elisabeth Hall in London.

The group 'Lovers of Rumi' was created with the aim to create a new form in which poetry and music are woven into a tapestry uniting different cultures through the beauty and wisdom of Rumi's words. His message of love and union is vitally important in our times. In collaboration with Maryam Mafi in the last five years, Azima has published three books of Rumi’s poetry: Whispers of the Beloved, Hidden Music and Gardens of the Beloved (published by Harper Collins/Thorsons).