The author of this year's message for the International Dance Day on April 29th is the German first soloist of the Stuttgart Ballet, Friedemann Vogel, who has already been elected "Dancer of the Year" twice. In his message, he emphasizes the importance of dance for society and the motivation of the dance community to find its raison d'Être, especially when halls must remain closed and physical contact is limited. "I believe it is this unique combination of physical and psychological agility that will help us overcome, to reinvent ourselves to keep dancing, and to keep inspiring." reads the message. The full text of which can be viewed here. Information on Friedemann Vogel's career and curriculum vitae can be found here.

In 1982 the International Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute, UNESCO, created International Dance Day to be celebrated every year on the 29th April. The date commemorates the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727 - 1810), the creator of modern ballet.

Every year a message from a well-known dance personality is circulated throughout the world. The intention of International Dance Day and the Message is to bring all Dance together on this occasion, to celebrate this art form and revel in its universality, to cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers and bring people together in peace and friendship with a common language - DANCE.

The International Dance Committee of ITI is collaborating with World Dance Alliance and the International Dance Council for the celebration of International Dance Day.

For more information in english language see ITI International Dance Day site.

The German ITI Center has had this year's messages, including biographies, translated into German. You can download the brochure with photos here.

It was first in Helsinki, and then in Vienna at the 9th World Congress of the INTERNATIONAL THEATRE INSTITUTE in June 1961 that President Arvi Kivimaa proposed on behalf of the Finnish Centre of the International Theatre Institute that a WORLD THEATRE DAY be instituted. The proposal, backed by the Scandinavian centres, was carried with acclamation. Ever since, each year on the 27th March (until 1972 date of the opening of the "Theatre of Nations" ITI festival in Paris), World Theatre Day has been celebrated in many and varied ways by ITI National Centres of which there are now almost 100 throughout the world. (more info at ITI worldwide)

• Past Messages