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Iran has a very rich and diverse dance culture. Due to it's vastness and many periods of being an empire, the folkloric dance culture of Iran, including the colorful array of costumes, reflects the diverse ethnic makeup of the Iranian World. During the reign of the Pahlavi Dynasty, ambitious efforts were made to study and record the folkloric dance traditions thoughout Iran. Government-sponsored folkloric ballets and dance troups were formed. NITV, the state-run broadcasting corporation, devoted much of its programming to the performance of these professional dancers. However, after the revolution of 1979, women were barred from dancing in public. The National Ballet of Iran was also dissolved as a result of the revolution, and Iran's ballerinas of world-class left the country, either ceasing their careers or joining Western ballet companies.
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North Africa/Middle East
