International Dance Day 2006
When I have talked for an hour I feel lousy –
Not so when I have danced for an hour:
The dancers inherit the party
While the talkers wear themselves out and
Sit in corners, alone, and glower.
- Ian Hamilton Finlay -
Ian Hamilton Finlay was born in the Bahamas in 1925 and his early work included short stories, plays and poems. His first book, The Sea Bed and Other Stories, was published in 1958 followed in 1961 by his collection of poems, The Dancers Inherit the Party.
He moved to Stonypath in the Pentland Hills in 1966 with his wife, Sue, and began the work on his garden, Little Sparta, which became his greatest work of art. He died in March 2006.
In 1982 the International Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute, UNESCO, created International Dance Day to be celebrated every year on 29 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 artform 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
English National Ballet at Edinburgh Festival Theatre
Angika at Macrobert
Scottish Dance Theatre at Dundee Rep
Bodysurf at Lemon Tree
Freshmess at Children’s International Festival
Iceland Dance Company at Tramway
Get more information about Dance in Scotland in the dance features and projects areas of the Scottish Arts Council website. |