Pictured: Lemi Ponifasio © MAU.
Since its creation in 1982, the International Dance Day celebrated every year on the birthday of the creator of modern ballet Jean-Georges Noverre 29th April, is the occasion to give homage to dance and its universality, crossing all political, cultural and ethnic barriers. The International Theatre Institute is happy to announce that following the footsteps of Merce Cunningham, Maurice Béjart, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Mourad Merzouki, Lemi Ponifasio ? a Samoan choreographer, stage director, designer and artist will be giving the 2016 International Dance Day Message.
Message of International Dance Day 2016
Lemi Ponifasio’s Message
KARAKIA
(Prayer)
touch the cosmos
the source of our divinity
illuminating
the face of the ancestors
so we can see our children
woven above beside below
unite all within
our flesh and bones
and memory
the Earth is turning
humans in mass migration
turtles gather in silent preparation
the heart is injured
make dance
a movement of love
a movement of justice
the light of truth
International Dance Day (IDD)
In 1982 the Dance Committee of the ITI founded International Dance Day to be celebrated every year on the 29th April, anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), the creator of modern ballet.
The intention of the ?International Dance Day Message? is to celebrate Dance, to revel in the universality of this art form, to cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers and bring people together with a common language – Dance.
Every year a message from an outstanding choreographer or dancer is circulated throughout the world. The personality is selected by the founding entity of the International Dance Day ? the International Dance Committee of the ITI, which collaborates with World Dance Alliance, a Cooperating Member of the ITI.
More information: http://www.international-dance-day.org/en/danceday.html
