International Dance Day is being celebrated across the world today. It was introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Committee (CID) of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), a UNESCO partner NGO.

The day was introduced in 1982 and is celebrated on 29th April every year.

The date commemorates the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), creator of modern ballet and author of the famous Lettres sur la danse, published in 1760 in Lyon.

Every year, an outstanding dancer is invited to deliver a message which is circulated throughout the world.

Among others, Merce Cunningham, Maurice Béjart, Akram Khan and Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker have delivered the message and/or participated in the celebration of International Dance Day at UNESCO.

The aim of the “International Dance Day Message” is to revel in the universality of this art form that crosses all political, cultural and ethnic barriers.