International Dance Day

Held on : 29th April

Dance is an art form which refers to rhythmic movement of the body to music. It is also a form of expression, social interaction which maybe presented in a spiritual  or performance setting. Various forms of Dances are performed all over the world for various purposes. International Dance Day is an event which celebrates the joy of Dancing. Officially it commemorates the creator of the Modern Ballet. It is also observed to increase the awareness of the importance of dance among the general public, as well as to persuade governments all over the world to provide a proper place for dance in all systems of education, from primary to higher. According to CID (International Dance Council) - "While dance has been an integral part of human culture throughout its history, it is under-prioritized by official establishments in the world". In particular, Prof. Alkis Raftis, President of the International Dance Council, in his 2003 Dance Day Message said: "In more than half of the 200 countries in the world, dance does not appear in legal texts (for better or for worse!). There are no funds allocated in the state budget to support this art form. There is no such thing as dance education, private or public."

History

The holiday was introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO, International Theatre Institute (ITI). The date was suggested by Pyotr Gusev to commemorate the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), the creator of modern ballet. International Dance Day has been celebrated on April 29, since then through promotion by the International Dance Council (CID), an umbrella organization within UNESCO for all kinds of dance. The  International Dance Council (Conseil International de la Danse - CID) was founded with the encouragement and support of UNESCO. CID is officially recognized by UNESCO as an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) representing all forms of dance. Recognition was granted by  the UNESCO General Conference in May 1975.

Events

Various Dance Companies, Amateur Groups, Schools, Associations and other Dance Organisations organise various events which are primarily organized jointly with a Non-Dance Institutions such as a Government Agency, Public School, Municipality, Business Enterprise, Trade Union etc. The event at UNESCO is organised in partnership with World Dance Alliance Europe.

Dance Day events include:

• Special Performances.
• Open-Door Classes.
• Public Rehearsals.
• Lectures.
• Exhibitions.
• Articles in Newspapers And Magazines.
• Dance Evenings.
• Radio and TV Programs.
• Visits.
• Street Shows.
• Parades.
• Shop Window Decorations.

Annual Message - Every year a message from an outstanding choreographer or dancer is circulated throughout the world. The personality is selected by the founding entity of the International Dance Day - the International Dance Committee of the ITI, which collaborates with World Dance Alliance, a Cooperating Member of the ITI.

2005 - The year 2005 focus of the Dance Day was on primary education. CID urged dance establishments to contact the Ministries of Education with the proposals to celebrate this day at all schools with writing essays about dance, drawing dance pictures, dancing in the streets, etc.

2006 - The 2006 message of President of CID addresses the reluctance of dancers to join collective organisations, expresses an opinion that this is a major reason of the lack of the due recognition (legislation, financing, visibility) of dance in society, and calls: "Dancers of the world, unite!"

2007 - The 2007 Dance Day was dedicated to children.

2008 - In 2008, Alkis Raftis circulated an e-mail which said, in part: "Governments, sponsors, and the media is our main concern this year. Governments (national, regional or local), sponsors (private or public) and the media (newspapers, magazines, radio, TV) are the three most important factors affecting the practice of our art. Dance professionals struggle to approach them individually - with poor results. We propose a better way: through CID Sections representing all forms of dance, all levels, all functions".

Alternate Name - World Dance Day.