In 1982 the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute founded International Dance Day (IDD) to be celebrated every year on 29 April, the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), choreographer and creator of modern ballet.
The intention of IDD is to celebrate dance, revel in the universality of this art form, 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 translated into numerous languages and circulated throughout the world.
Dancer Marianela Núñez (Argentina) is the author of the message in 2024.
English translation from the Spanish original
A memory is not enough to make history. And the history of a theatre, like that of each person, is also the history of others, of how an art like dance migrated and grew in different latitudes.
The walls of the Royal Ballet treasure photographs that narrate the journey; history calls for its protagonists, and dance in Argentina shines with each of those names. Often, institutions submerge themselves in silent anonymity, without faces or surnames, avoiding facing the echo of the past.
The organisations promoted and supported by ITI-UNESCO, such as the Argentine Dance Council, frequently act as a wall that prevents forgetfulness.
I am with you all in the commitment to rescue and revitalise the history of masters, artists and choreographers who have enriched the world of dance, deserving of being heard by future generations.
Let us all know that we are not spectators, but inheritors of a tradition forged with art, dignity and sacrifice, nourishing our path with vocation and love for beauty.
Although the future and the present capture our attention, without the solid foundation of the past, without the fertility of our land, the dance tree cannot flourish. The roots are tradition and at the same time… nutrients.
About Marianela Núñez
With initial training at the “Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón”, Marianela Núñez, born on March 23, 1982 in San Martin, Argentina, has flourished as a leading figure in the world of ballet. She entered London’s Royal Ballet in 1997, where she rose through the ranks as a principal dancer. Her repertoire has led her to captivate global audiences with unforgettable performances in works such as “Swan Lake,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Giselle.”
Recognized with prestigious international awards such as the Benois de la Danse Award and the Laurence Olivier Award, and national awards such as the María Ruanova Award given by the Argentine Dance Council and in 2010 the Konex Award for the best dancer of the decade.
Marianela has received critical acclaim for her performances; her character of Aurora was considered to have been the Royal Ballet’s best since 1946, demonstrating her ability to captivate audiences with her exceptional expressiveness and technique. Her career reveals not only technical skill, but also her deep nobility and commitment to dance and future generations. Her generous and altruistic personality establishes her as a beacon of inspiration and role model in the world of ballet and beyond.