International Dance Day

Founded in 1982 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) World Organization for the Performing Arts, International Dance Day marks the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810) who is acknowledged as the creator of modern ballet. In 1760, Noverre published a famous treatise entitled Les Lettres sur la Danse et sur les Ballets (Letters on Dance and Ballet) in which was outlined his preferred aesthetic and method for teaching dance. This methodology has been translated into many different languages and is referred to by dance teachers worldwide. The Day is to celebrate dance, to acknowledge the universality of this art form in crossing all political, cultural and ethnic barriers, and to bring people together with this common ‘language’.