International Dance Day
Art is the bedrock of human creativity, it may even be considered something innate to humans as there is ample evidence of cave art. When most think of art, they may immediately think of painting and music, recalling Da Vinci or Dua Lipa. However, many overlook dance, an art form that encompasses the grace and ingenuity of the human mind. Furthermore, dance is an expression of human spirituality and cultivates a sense of peace for both the dancer and the audience. To that end, the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), partnered with UNESCO, created International Dance Day in 1982.
International Dance Day celebrates the multitude of dance forms and encourages participation as well as education in dance. It is It’s commemorated every year on the anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre, the father of traditional ballet,which is one of the most incredible forms of dance. In recent years, the ITI has focused more on education to make dance more pervasive around the world. For example, in the 2017 celebration hosted in Shanghai, there were many workshops and educational events that allowed attendees to further immerse themselves in the diverse world of dance.
One of the main highlights of the annual celebration of International Dance Day is the selection of message authors. These artists are chosen among a field of outstanding dancers and choreographers and are given the platform to propagate a unique message to the entire world. Last year’s commemoration was loomed over by the shadow of the Russian-Ukraine conflict. While there are no notable backdrops this year, the world is still reeling through an intense period of strife and animosity, providing a potent stage for impactful messages.
Dance expresses both the strength and versatility of human creativity as well as physical fitness. The richness of dance history is unparalleled, spanning from the ancient times of the Far East to contemporary ballet of the West. It continues to be one of the most powerful ways to express oneself and the celebration of International Dance Day will keep it that way for centuries to come.
Join UNESCO Body Mind and Wellness Club in celebrating International Dance Day on April 29th!
https://www.international-dance-day.org/internationaldanceday.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Dance_Day