International Dance Day This is the official website for International Dance Day. International Dance Day was created by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute ITI, the main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO. Since its creation in 1982, the International Dance Committee and the International Theatre Institute ITI select an outstanding dance personality to write a message for International Dance Day each year. This day is a celebration day for those who can see the value and importance of the art form “dance”, and acts as a wake-up-call for governments, politicians and institutions which have not yet recognised its value to the people and to the individual and have not yet realised its potential for economic growth. “People reflect each other constantly, but when they dance, perhaps what they reflect most is that moment of honesty.” Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, dancer and choreographer, message author for International Dance Day 2012

This Year’s Message Authors To celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the International Theatre Institute and to underline the cross-cultural and international aspect of this common language - Dance, the Executive Council and the International Dance Committee of ITI have selected five message authors to write a message – one from each of the five UNESCO Regions: Africa, the Americas, Arab Countries, Asia Pacific and Europe. Africa: Salia SANOU, Burkina Faso >>More info about Salia SANOU >>International Dance Day 2018 Message Salia SANOU Arab countries: Georgette GEBARA, Lebanon >>More info about Georgette GEBARA >>International Dance Day 2018 Message by Georgette GEBARA Asia Pacific: Willy TSAO, Hong Kong, China >>More info about Willy TSAO >>International Dance Day 2018 Message by Willy TSAO Europe: Ohad NAHARIN, Israel >>More info about Ohad NAHARIN >>International Dance Day 2018 Message by Ohad NAHARIN The Americas: Marianela BOAN, Cuba >>More info about Marianela BOAN >>International Dance Day 2018 Message by Marianela BOAN