International Dance Day

International Dance Day (World Dance Day) has been celebrated on April 29 through promotion by the International Dance Council (CID), an umbrella organization within UNESCO for all kinds of dance.

Related Topics:
April 29 - International Dance Council - Umbrella organization - UNESCO - Dance

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The holiday was introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute. The date commemorates the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727 - 1810), the creator of modern ballet.

Related Topics:
1982 - International Theatre Institute - Jean-Georges Noverre - Ballet

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Among the goals of the Dance Day are 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.

Related Topics:
Primary - Higher

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While dance has been an integral part of human culture throughout its history, it is underprioritized 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."

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The year 2005 focus of the Dance Day is on primary education. CID urges 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.

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