International Dance Day in 2022: what date is celebrated, date and history of the holiday

Holiday traditions

Traditionally, on April 29, a famous representative of the dance world addresses the public with a message about the meaning and beauty of dance. In 1984, the Soviet choreographer Yuri Grigorovich performed, in 1996 - the Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya.

Dance festivals and competitions take place on this day. Dance schools hold open days. Flash mobs are organized. Dance evenings are organized.

In Russia, on International Dance Day, choreographers, conductors, composers and artists are awarded the professional ballet award “Soul of Dance”.

Message for International Dance Day 2012

Celebrate the endless choreography of life. Times pass, centuries pass, what remains is mainly art. It seems that art exists wherever a person lives - whether embodied in buildings or books, paintings or music. Or movement, or dance. In this sense, I believe that dance is the most modern, the most urgent lesson of history, since it is in constant relationship with the passing past and occurs only in the present. Dance also does not respect boundaries, like many other forms of art. Even when certain styles try to set boundaries or boundaries for themselves; the very movement of life, its choreography, its need for flow: this side takes over very quickly, allowing styles to connect with each other. Everything is involved in everything, naturally, and dance lives only in the place where it belongs - the ever-changing present. I believe that dance is perhaps the most honest form of expression worth caring about: because when people dance, be it a ballet performance, a hip-hop battle, an avant-garde contemporary show or just a free disco, they rarely lie or wear masks . People imitate each other all the time, but when they dance, most often they imitate this moment of honesty. By moving like other people, moving with other people, observing their movement, we can better feel their emotions, think their thoughts and connect with their energy. And then perhaps we can recognize and understand them more clearly. I like to think of dance performance as a celebration of co-existence, a way of giving and creating space and time for each other. We may forget this, but the deep beauty of performance is that a mass of people sitting next to each other are united in one moment of experience. There's nothing personal about it: performing is an extremely social experience. We all come together for this ritual, which connects us to the performance, connects us in a single present. So in 2012 I wish you a lot of dancing. Not to forget all the problems of 2011, but, on the contrary, to solve them creatively, to dance with them, to find ways to connect with each other and with the world, to engage with life as part of an endless choreography. Dance to find honesty and convey, reflect and celebrate it.

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

Toasts

“Congratulations on International Dance Day! I wish you an amazing sense of rhythm, incredible plasticity, endurance, enthusiasm and faith in your abilities. Good health, self-discovery in new directions, enchanting choreography and thunderous applause. Let your talent shine brightly on the international stage!

“Happy International Dance Day to everyone who can’t stay still when they hear music! Dance is an encrypted language of movements, it is speed and whirlwinds of emotions. Dance is more than words. Dance, open up in dance, and discover other people. Let the fiery dance of your life never stop!

“We wish all dancers that the goddess of dance will visit you today and give you the desire to flourish professionally! Happy Dance Day, dear dancers! Let your gait be airy and weightless, let your figure be slim and graceful! We wish you to plunge into the passionate embrace of dance and spin a dizzying romance with it for life! New energy for you, inspiration, vigor, rhythm! Let the heart in your chest beat in time with the melody of your soul! Let dancing always be a desired and favorite activity for your soul and body! We wish you that each of your dances ends with a stormy burst of applause from fans of your work!

Curriculum Vitae

Noverre was born in 1727, and began to engage in dance performances at the court of King Louis XV. He was not afraid to take an innovative approach to business, for which he remained in the memory of posterity. First, the young choreographer freed the dancers from the bulky costumes that hampered their movements. Then he taught the court ladies and gentlemen, accustomed to leisurely, prim movements, easier and more graceful steps. This is how the transition took place from mechanical movement around the hall to real art.

Of course, there were those who were dissatisfied with the innovations, but the vast majority of respected viewers were simply delighted with the changes. The public's approval inspired Noverre even more, and he began preparing entire dance performances. Later, a school was opened where those who wished could learn graceful movements from a young age.

The genius did not stop at practical work and formulated theoretical principles that formed the basis of his treatises. The author's most famous printed work is the 1759 work “Letters on Dance and Ballet,” recognized as a classic manual for dancers.

Present

Gift Certificate. A gift certificate for a master class in your favorite dance style will be an original and thematic gift.

Workout clothes. Comfortable and stylish clothes or shoes for training will be a practical and useful gift for the holiday.

Portable speakers. Portable speakers that create high-quality and loud sound will allow you to conduct training and rehearsals anywhere. In addition to such a gift, you can present a flash drive with a selection of compositions by your favorite artist.

Portrait. A portrait painted from a photograph will be an original and pleasant surprise for a creative person.

Competitions

Dance on an Ice Floe Couples take part in the competition and are given a piece of whatman paper. Participants lay out whatman paper on the floor and stand on it. Then the music starts and the couples start dancing. The main rule of the competition is not to step outside the paper. Violators are knocked out of the game. During the competition, the music is interrupted several times. During the break, participants must fold the sheet in half. The neatest pair wins.

Different styles Before the competition, it is necessary to prepare forfeits on which various names of dances will be written: tango, hopak, lambada, cancan, rock and roll, etc. Participants in the competition take turns choosing forfeits at random. They are given a few minutes to prepare the dance. Then a well-known rhythmic musical composition is turned on, and all the competitors begin to dance simultaneously. The most creative and charismatic participant wins the competition.

Seated dances Before the competition, chairs are placed in a row on which the participants sit. Rhythmic music turns on and the contestants begin to dance without getting up from their chairs. Victory in the competition goes to the most resourceful and artistic participant.

International Dance Day – April 29, 2014

Every artist is proud of his art. Every artist will always defend that art form whose encounter changed his entire life. The very one that he gains and loses and is eager to share it with others, be it the sound of a voice, a found word, the interpretation of a text for all humanity, music, without which the universe cannot communicate with us, or a movement that opens the doors of grace. As a dancer and choreographer, I not only take pride in dance, but also have a deep appreciation for it. Dancing brought me good luck. He became my morality, taught me discipline, and provided me with everything necessary to explore this world. He became the closest to me, giving me strength for every new day, filling me with his energy and generosity. His poetry gives me peace of mind. Need I say that I cannot exist without dance? Without the ability to express myself that he gave me? Without the self-confidence that I gained to overcome fears and get out of dead ends? Through dance, realizing the beauty and complexity of this world, I became a citizen. A special citizen who transforms the norms of life while remaining true to the hip-hop culture, transforming negative energy into a force for good. Dance is a constant source of pride for me. But, even though I feel proud, I live with pain in my heart. I see that around me individual representatives of working youth are disoriented and helpless, that they live in an atmosphere of tension and hopelessness, without hope for the future. Actually, I am one of them, in fact - we are all one. And I, perhaps more than others, strive by my own example to help them find a path in life. Doesn't the prosperity of each of us contribute to the prosperity of society? Culture unites people more than reasoning. So show courage and take risks, regardless of the obstacles and hatred in your path; the beauty of the world will always be on your side. So for me is dance with its ability to ignore social and ethnic differences, leaving only the movement of the body in all its beauty; a man who has returned to pure expression, unique and unifying. I would like to end with a quote from Rene Char, whose words remind me every day that no one is allowed to limit us to given roles. “Catch your luck, hold on tight to your lucky break and take risks. They'll get used to it by watching you." So dare, fall and start again, get up, dance - never stop dancing!

Message from Murad Merzouki

Translation by Yulia Ardashnikova

Interesting Facts

December 11 is International Tango Day.
On April 29, 1991, the International Association of Choreographers founded the annual ballet festival “Benois de la Danse”. The international jury selects the most talented representatives in the categories “best choreographer”, “best ballerina” and “best dancer”. The winners receive a figurine in the form of a dancing couple as a bonus.
The word “dance” appeared in Russian in the 17th century. Before this, the word “dance” was in use.
The Dance Museum has been operating in the capital of Sweden, Stockholm, since 1953.
To make a ballet tutu, you will need 13-16 m of tulle.
The most famous ballet performance in the world is Swan Lake.
In Russia, the first ballet performance took place in 1673.

How to celebrate International Dance Day

Previously, April 29 was celebrated only by folk festivals - songs and dances were a secondary rule. They danced in circles, made wishes, everything was almost as is customary in Rus', except they didn’t jump over the fire.

Today, International Dance Day involves not only mass performances in the central square in every city. On this day, all people should dance - either professionally or amateurishly.

The first terraces are starting to open in the cafe, and amateur performances are taking place there - visitors can come to watch the performances of professionals, as well as join the dancers.

Children's competitions and performances are organized in the parks, and small competitions are held between kids. National ensembles perform concerts, sing songs and give away prizes.

On World Dance Day, it is customary to invite girls to slow dance. In specialized dance schools, an open evening is held when couples give demonstration performances. The holiday is rarely celebrated at home, but you don’t have to limit yourself to dancing and learning new dance moves.

The Association of Sports and Ballroom Dances, as a rule, organizes the registration of schoolchildren for classes. So on this day you can get a discount on training.

Since this is an international holiday, it is celebrated in all countries of the world. In Scandinavia, city residents dress up in national costumes and dance right on the city streets. In Europe, the dance festival is combined with the culture day, so it is customary to wear only those costumes that a person has sewn for himself.

These can be simple skirts or pants, dresses made from curtains or curtains, outfits made from scrap materials. There are no competitions, but children are given gifts. Boys get medals and cars, and girls get delicious edible bouquets of flowers and figurines of ballerinas.

In conservatories and art schools, this holiday is held as part of classes: complex compositions are studied, performances are shown for which students have independently prepared all year. It is almost impossible to get to the rehearsal of a closed screening, even if you are the parent of your talented child.

TV channels always show programs from last year’s episodes, calculate the results of sports sections, and broadcast world championships in ballroom and sports dancing. The holiday is often celebrated by figure skaters, gymnasts and those who are not indifferent to such a spring mood of the soul.

About the dancer's profession

Dancing is an ancient art form that combines rhythmic movements, exciting spectacle, and a range of feelings and emotions. There are several specialties related to dance: dancer, choreographer, set designer, coach, dance therapy specialist, etc.

In most cases, people start dancing from childhood in artistic creative groups. This type of activity requires good physical preparation, a sense of rhythm, diligence, and artistry. For some, dancing develops into a professional activity. In universities they receive education in choreographic areas. Dancers may perform solo or be part of professional troupes or ensembles.

Dancers who are successful tour a lot and have a high level of income. However, their career does not last long. The profession of a dancer is associated with high physical activity and the risk of injury.

Message for International Dance Day - 2004

Dance is the original, most ancient form of human expression. Through the body and language of movement, dance acquires a deep connection with the emotional and spiritual world.

For the Aboriginal culture of Australia, dance is the very essence, a form of sacred healing. The dance is rooted, connected to the spirit of Mother Earth. Until you surrender to the dance, you will not be able to hunt in peace. It is an integral part of human existence.

When preparing a new dance, I ask the dancers to absorb and digest the grain of tradition, to feel the original code within, so that we can, through transformation, bring the essence of tradition into the modern world.

Dance is a universal language. It embodies human identity and the celebration of the human spirit. Dance is the creative heart of the kinship of all living things. Dance is a universal sacred medicine.

Stefan Page, choreographer, Australia