The official message for Dance Day
29 April 2020
Before film and video, dance used to be “the evanescent art” – choreographies throughout history have disappeared while masterpieces of painting, sculpture, poetry, or theater remain for thousands of years. The widespread use of video has revolutionized the art of dance; its contribution is invaluable.
Dance Day 2020 is celebrated in cooperation with the International Council for Film, Television and Audiovisual Communication (CICT/ICFT), a partner of UNESCO just like CID. The general theme is “Youth-Dance-Video.” Choreographers and dance school directors are encouraged to produce a work executed by dancers under 18, record it on video and send it to be screened at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
This short choreographic piece should be inspired by values defended by UNESCO; for example: intercultural and interreligious dialogue; anti-doping; promoting shared history and memory for reconciliation; protect, promote, and transmit heritage; culture of peace, non-violence, and sustainable development; poverty, climate change, natural disasters, and social inequities.
You will find more values, such as equality, democracy, peace, and human values, at the portals of UNESCO and the United Nations. The challenge is how to portray such abstract notions through concerted movement on stage. The most important objective is for your young dancers to understand the importance of one or more of these values and to engage in expressing them.
On Dance Day the attention of the world is directed towards the art of dance. Video serves us immensely as a simple means for recording and disseminating our creative work. This year, dance and video will combine in celebrating the uplifting of humanity towards the noble goals set by its summit organizations.
Alkis Raftis
President of the International Dance Council
CID, UNESCO, Paris