The International Dance Day

In 1982 the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (Unesco) founded International Dance Day to be celebrated every year on the 29th April, anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), the creator of modern ballet.

The intention of the «International Dance Day Message» is to celebrate Dance, to revel in the universality of this art form, to cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers and bring people together with a common language – Dance.

Every year a message from an outstanding choreographer or dancer is circulated throughout the world. The personality is selected by the founding entity of the International Dance Day – the International Dance Committee of the ITI, which collaborates with World Dance Alliance, a Cooperating Member of the ITI.

KARAKIA
(Prayer)

touch the cosmos
the source of our divinity
illuminating
the face of the ancestors
so we can see our children

woven above beside below
unite all within
our flesh and bones
and memory

the Earth is turning
humans in mass migration
turtles gather in silent preparation
the heart is injured

make dance
a movement of love
a movement of justice
the light of truth

Lemi Ponifasio

Salā Lemi Ponifasio is a Samoan and New Zealand director, artist, dancer, designer and choreographer. In 1995 he founded MAU in Auckland, working with communities and artists from all over the world.