From street dances to formal performances to dinner dances and many more festivities, World Dance Day is celebrated in many forms and as such 29 April remains the day that all dancers from around the world look forward to.
The day was introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute. This particular date was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Jean- Georges Noverre, a French dancer and ballet master and a great reformer of dance, who was born in 1727.
"World Dance Day should increase the awareness of the importance of dance among the general public. Its goal is also to persuade governments all over the world to provide a proper place for dance in all systems of education," explains Annie Cassar, President of Malta DanceSport Association.
The MDA, which is the sole registered Association of Ballroom and Latin American Dancing in Malta and Gozo, is also celebrating this day with various festivals.
As part of these celebrations, MDA will be throwing a Gala Dinner on 27 April, where dancers from different schools and associations will be gathering together to dance the night away.
The evening will include performances by Tango dancers, Flamenco dancers, Russian folklore dancers, Jazz dancers and Latin dancers, including current Latin Champions Kurt Spiteri and Amanda Amaira.
Ms Cassar says, “The MDA has been celebrating World Dance Day for a good number of years now. Every year it is celebrated in the Cottonera Sports complex by Dance Festivals and also in dance halls, schools and hotels to encourage all ages to participate in dance”.
This year the event is being held at the SAS Radisson Blu Resort and all dancers are invited to attend. The event will also be donating some of the proceeds to charity.
Ms Cassar adds, “The MDA’s professional athletes give demonstrations everywhere to show that Dance is Culture, Art and Sport.”
The MDA is a full member of the WDSF, the World Dance Sport Federation, which has 90 member countries worldwide. It is also a member of the Malta Olympic Committee, and registered with the Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport. Since 1994 it has promoted Ballroom and Latin American Dancing through National Championships and World Ranking International Competitions.