International Dance Day is a global festival of dance, created by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the main partner of UNESCO s performing arts. The event takes place on April 29 every year, the anniversary of the birth of Jean-Georges Novre (1727-1810), the creator of the modern ballet. The day seeks to encourage participation and education in dance through events and festivals held around the world. UNESCO formally identifies ITI as the creator and organizer of the event.
Every year since its creation in 1982, an outstanding dance personality is selected to write a message for International Dance Day. ITI also creates a major event in a selected host city, which includes dance performances, educational workshops, humanitarian projects, and speeches by ambassadors, dignitaries, dance personalities, and selected message writers for that year. This day is a day of celebration for those who can see the value and importance of dance as art, and act as a