Happy International Dance Day: Quotes, Wishes, Messages, Images, Date, and More

Introduction of International Dance Day

International Dance Day is a worldwide festival of dances organized by UNESCO's strategic partner for performance arts - the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI). The day is observed every year on April 29, which is the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre, the inventor of contemporary dance. The day's activities and celebrations are organized all over the planet in order to encourage participation and knowledge in dance.

History of International Dance Day

Dance may be dated back for at least 9,000 generations into old Indian murals and sacred performances, which can be found in several other primitive civilizations. Since then, it has been a vital element of human civilization, with everyone from indigenous tribes to skilled performers exhibiting their abilities. The best part is that everyone may appreciate it, irrespective of their good rhythm or dancing ability. While dancing has been practised for hundreds of years, the formal Dance Day rituals did not begin until 1982. The performance could never have begun at a better moment, with Flash dance reaching the final screen in 1983. After all, plenty of people throughout the world developed a newfound appreciation for the classics right after leaving the theatres. Each year, one great dance icon is chosen to write an International Dance Day message. Henrik Neubauer delivered the very first speech, and other dignitaries have included Chetna Jalan, Germaine Acogny, Murray Lewis, Kazuo Ohno, Stephen Page, Sasha Waltz, Lin Hwai-Min, and Trisha Brown. International Theatre Institute often organizes a flagship event in a chosen host city, where dance professionals, celebrities, and representatives give performances, seminars and workshops, philanthropic initiatives, and lectures. The day is a day of pleasure for individuals who appreciate the worth and relevance of the artistic medium of dance, as well as a wake-up call for authorities, lawmakers, and entities that have yet to comprehend its benefits to the people. The location of this spectacular event varies every year, but the festivities may be viewed by anyone worldwide. The idea that dancing is for everyone is central to all that the day represents.

International Dance Day 2023 Date

• When is International Dance Day 2023?

International Dance Day for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Saturday, 29 April.

• International Dance Day dates for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027

International Dance Day Quotes

• Dancing is poetry with arms and legs. – Charles Baudelaire
• Dance is the hidden language of the soul. - Martha Graham
• Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free. - Rumi
• Dance first. Think later. It's the natural order. - Samuel Beckett
• Dance is just like film in that it allows for thoughts in movement. — Twyla Tharp
• Dance for yourself. If someone understands, good. If not, no matter. - Louis Horst
• Let us dance in the sun, wearing wildflowers in our hair.- Susan Polis Schutz
• Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music. — George Carlin

International Dance Day Wishes

• If you’ve got nothing to dance about, find a reason to sing. -Melody Carstairs
• On the occasion of International Dance Day, my wish for you is that you always dance to the tunes you love and live life at your own terms.
• Dance is the language of soul that is hidden deep inside.
• Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf. — Rabindranath Tagore
• Dance is an art to some but it is living life to some.

International Dance Day Messages

• Daily dance uplifts the soul to spiritual realms. -Lailah Gifty Akita
• Never dance to impress but always dance to express and you will impress everyone.
• Those who can dance to any tune are the ones who love dancing beyond conditions.
• Any kind of dancing is better than no dancing at all. -Lynda Barr
• Never dance to impress but always dance to express and you will impress everyone. Happy International Dance Day

Significance of International Dance Day

The major goal of the day is to bring more people together via celebrating and promoting all kinds of dance movements beyond all economic, social, and cultural divides. Every year, the International Theatre Institute chooses a well-known dancing celebrity to assist popularize the day. The idea of International Dance Day is to embrace dance, delight in its inclusiveness, and surpass all barriers. The significance of the day lies in the aim to bring everybody together through the use of a shared language, i.e. dance.

Ways of Celebration of International Dance Day

People can freely plan and publicize a ceremony on the day itself or surrounding it. International Dance Day is celebrated by dance establishments, theatres and dance institutes, dance and performance arts academic institutions, government entities, departments of entertainment and culture, dance producers, and dance enthusiasts all around the world. The message of International Dance Day is always translated into the country's language in order to educate the general public about the value of performing arts. The message can also be promoted through Youtube videos or any other platforms so that the people get an idea of the day's significance. On International Dance Day, April 29, several nations recite the statement on stage immediately just before the event begins. The statement can also be read at or after interlude or in the foyer of a dancing facility. In parallel to handing out leaflets with the statement and the author's background, the statement can be forwarded to print media such as newspapers and periodicals for circulation. The events planned to commemorate International Dance Day are as varied as the ideas that drive them. Some of the ways in which promoting the message of this event can be carried out are:

1. Fundraiser events for organizations, persons, or particular causes related to dance
2. Discussions with composers and performers.
3. Provide opportunities for dance schools, academies, and colleges.
4. Street dancing competitions.
5. Free passes for chosen concerts during International Dance Day.
6. A spontaneous gathering of people/flash mob
7. Symposiums, specialized presentations, workshops, panel discussions, and round table conferences
8. Collecting donations for special initiatives with a spectacular ball along with supper etc.
9. Procession.
10. Special award shows.
11. There are also many other ways to celebrate this day. For instance, writing a blog on International Dance Day so that people get more information regarding the art form. Or even making different stamps related to different cultures around the world and so on.
12. In order to mark the event, various educational institutions also celebrate this day with huge cultural performances. Some also organize competitions amongst the performers where the organizing committee awards the one with excellent performance.
13. The Gala celebration on this day is decided by the Executive Council of The International Theatre Institute. In 2017, this gala event was decided to be held in Shanghai, China. The following year, i.e. 2018, it was held in Havana, Cuba, where the events are organized consecutively for days with people attending it from all around the world.
14. The day can also be spent by watching a movie based on dance. For instance, one can begin by watching the classic Hollywood movie, Dirty Dancing or any other such dance-inspired movie of one's interest. Some examples are La La Land, Step Up, Aaja Nachle, Any Body Can Dance and many more. 
15. Checking out dance-based books online or even one can find it in a library and spend the time reading and understanding the cultural differences as well as similarities. 
16. Going to see a dance performance live with friends or family members. Even if not so, one can stream live performances on Youtube, and other such platforms held on this day and created entertainment in the house.
17. One can also donate money or dance costumes to various NGOs that hold workshops on dance every year. 
18. One can support this day by spreading awareness amongst people. Talking about how dance helps in benefitting one's health, expression, self-love, how it is another form of creativity, and so many other ways can be helpful in spreading the word. Also, in this world of digital media and social platforms, people can also raise awareness by using trending hashtags like #InternationalDanceDay, #WorldDanceDay, #HappyFeet, etc., on Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms.

Some Interesting Facts About Dance Day

• The first proof of dance came from 9000-year-old cave paintings found in India.
• According to Egyptian law, the belly dancers there must have their navels covered.
• Tupac Shakur, one of the popular old school rappers of the gangsta rap style, used to learn ballet and went on to become a member of the 127th Street Ensemble, a Harlem based theatre company.
• Many superstitions surround dance, including that of the phrase "break a leg." People assume the exact opposite would happen onstage if one mentions it to them before a performance.
• Tango, an Argentine dance form, is often regarded as the most sensuous dance of the contemporary era.
• Break dancing originated in New York in the 1970s as a non-lethal type of street combat amongst street dance groups.
• In 1988, 119,986 individuals formed the world's longest conga (African dance form) dancing line in Miami.