Excerpted from the December 2005 Interview with author, Michael Green, entitled "Illuminating Rumi."

First World Rumi Day
On December 17, Visionary Media Inc. and Radiant Media Inc., in association with VisionTV, launch the first ever World Rumi Day and invite community groups to host benefit screenings of the new docudrama Rumi – Turning Ecstatic. This day of devotion, remembrance, and hope for peace celebrates the life and legacy of 13th century Sufi poet and mystic Mevlana Jelalludin Rumi.

December 17 has long been a day of celebration in the Middle East, where Rumi is recognized as a visionary peacekeeper and environmentalist, who promoted tolerance, compassion, and understanding between people of all backgrounds and beliefs. It is held sacred as the anniversary of Rumi’s passing, widely known as his “wedding day.”

Rumi – Turning Ecstatic is a labour of love for producers Tina Petrova and Stephen Roloff. The film retraces Petrova’s spiritual journey over the past five years, an experience that began with a tragic car crash, and ended with the wondrous discovery of Rumi and the many scholars around the world who illuminate his works today.

Organize a DVD fundraising screening of Rumi – Turning Ecstatic on December 17 at the venue of your choice to benefit your church, school, university, study group, or circle of friends. As an event organizer, you will be entitled to retain 50 percent of ticket revenues for your group. For information, contact Marissa Ponokowski, Rumi Day coordinator, 416-368-3194, or email rumi@visiontv.ca.
Visit www.rumi-turningecstatic.com and www.visiontv.ca