Shirin Youssefian Maanian

Shirin was born and brought up in London, England and somewhat bizarrely started out studying mathematical engineering…. Following her heart, she eventually switched to a Drama degree and ever since has been working professionally as an actress and director. Her passion for combining theatre and social issues has produced numerous works on themes including human rights abuse, race relations, breast cancer, treatment of women in Iran, immigration and Islamic veiling. She has toured her work internationally and a highpoint was being invited to perform the play "Pure", a one-woman show with 16 characters, about the Persian poetess and women’s rights advocate Táhirih – at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Shirin has always integrated music and singing in her theatre work and over the last 6 years has also been performing internationally as a singer with the group SKY. Their 2 CDs "A Cycle of Divine Love Songs" and "Now" are collections of Bahá'í Writings set to original music. SKY was honoured to be invited to sing inside the award-winning Lotus Temple in New Delhi, India as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations.

Her Persian heritage, British upbringing, life in Romania and now in Greece have all contributed to her identity as a world citizen.

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