La Scala’s principal dancers to celebrate International Dance Day

International Dance Day is a global celebration of dance.

It has been celebrated each year since 1982 on 29 April, which is the anniversary of the birth of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727–1810), the creator of modern ballet. It was established by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO.

Although in lockdown, the Scala Opera Ballet company intends to celebrate it, albeit in a different way.

Starting at 2 pm (Central European Summer Time), via the Facebook page of the opera house, the Principal Dancers of the company will be broadcasting live, together with Frédéric Olivieri, their Artistic Director.

This is a difficult time, in which our daily routine has changed – we are kept away from our theatre, our rehearsal studios, and away from our life's passion and work.

This initiative will see us virtually together and close to our audience. It's doubly important, because it unites us, in the name of dance, to make us feel even closer and connected to our art, that can't and shouldn't be stopped. Indeed, it needs all the support and visibility possible, because dance is part of the culture of our country: it is life and emotion.

 We are all waiting to return to work, so with this event, we want to think positively of the future and confidence in what it holds. When we can resume our journey on the path that has given and will continue to give all of us emotion and pride, we are certain that it will be with greater strength and a new awareness, a new light, and with even more passion to transmit… live.

Gramilano( Editor )

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people “who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like”. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.

His scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the ‘Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times magazine.