The International Dance Day is remarkable in the global dance scene and history. It is a day set aside for the celebration of dance globally. International Dance Day, also known as World Dance Day, is a creation of the Dance committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) in 1982, an important affiliate for the performing arts of UNESCO. The date, April 29, was chosen to commemorate the French dancer, Jean – Georges Noverre (1727 – 1810), the creator of modern ballet. This is to resonate his contribution to the world of dancing, having produced quite a number of ballet performances at Lyon, a metropolis in France in the 19th century (between 1758 and 1760).
International Dance Day is celebrated every year on 29 April to promote arts and culture, to raise and spread awareness among public regarding the ‘art of dance’ through performances, tutorial workshops, humanitarian initiatives and speeches made by dignitaries and dance personalities. Aside celebrating ‘dance’, it is to further espouse dance and revel in the universality of the art form which cut-across political, cultural and ethnic barriers and bring people together under the same umbrella with a common language – ‘dance’.
Sadly, the outbreak of ‘coronavirus’ has contaminated millions of people around the globe, while many nations are beneath lockdown! Heeding to professional counsel to remain in dwelling and practice of social-distancing; abiding by the rules in order to get the ‘virus’ off the target.
ADSPON joins other bodies and dancers in the celebration of the International Dance Day 2020 through digital events (online) to elevate the consciousness of the dance art. This is a clarion call on the global communities to explore the various inherent opportunities in dance. Dance, being a ‘non verbal communication art and therapeutic in nature’ comes in handy as a potent tool in alleviating pain; and it is believed to set your body and soul free if you adhere strictly to the etiquette. We, therefore, urge the global citizens to ‘create a space and dance on corona virus’ while observing the social-distancing rules within the confine of the lockdown. Dance is healthy and will give each and everyone life, fitness, and mental health.
We call on the United Nations (UN), World Health Organizations (WHO), Leaders of Committee of Nations, Traditional Institutions among other bodies to assist the global communities in ‘jointly’ ensuring the total eradication of this pandemic, ‘corona virus’ #COVID 19.
This is not the time for ‘talks’ but ‘actions’…
Dance on and heal the world…
