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International Dance Day

28 April 2005, 18:00 PM
LIFESTYLE
. PHOTO: STAR
In 1982 the International Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI - UNESCO), introduced International Dance Day to be celebrated every year on April 29. The date commemorates the birth of Jean-Georges Noverre, born in 1727 , who was a great dance performer. The intention of International Dance Day is to bring all dance aficionados together to celebra|e this art form and its universality regardless of political, cultural and ethnic barriers. In 1995, in an effort to unite dance lovers throughout the world, the International Dance Committee, ITI - UNESCO entered into a collaborative effort to celebrate the International Dance Day with the World Dance Alliance.

Every year a message from a particular dancer is circulated around the world. This year's message is by Miyako Yoshida, a UNESCO artist. Born in Japan, Miyako Yoshida began studying dance at the age of nine. After her initial training in Tokyo, she moved to London in 1983 to study at the Royal Ballet School after winning the prestigious Prix de Lausanne. In 1988 she was promoted to the rank of principal dancer at the Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet). In the course of her eventful career, she has won various prizes and honours including "Dancer of the Year" in 1991.

Dancers in Bangladesh have been celebrating the International Dance Day for quite some time now under the aegis of the Bangladesh chapter of the International Dance Committee of ITI. For the last couple of years the Bangladesh Dance Artiste's Association has been observing this day on a grand scale. This year the annual festival of the Association began on April 23 and will concluded on the International Dance Day. Dancers in colourful costumes from all over the country will come to Dhaka to join the rally.

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Dance in Bangladesh has come a long way, with many schools being run professionally by dancers trained in India. The earlier schools too have expanded their programmes to include the classical and traditional dances of Bangladesh. The observance of the International Dance Day motivates both young and older dancers to renew their pledge to expand the horizons of dance in Bangladesh.

2005 International Dance Day Message
--- Miyako Yoshida
Dance is exclusive to no one.
It grants joy and elation to all that partake or spectate.
The language of dance knows no boundaries.
It reaches beyond class, education, country and belief.
Its vocabulary is infinite, as human emotion resonates through movement.
Dance enriches the soul and uplifts the spirit.
Dance lives within all that live.
Let all the children dance and peace shall surely follow.