2007 International Dance Day Message

by Sasha Waltz

One dances on birthdays, at weddings, on the streets, in living rooms, on the stage, behind the scenes. To communicate joy, sorrow, as ritual and borderline experience.

Dance is a universal language: emissary for a peaceful world, for equality, tolerance and compassion. Dance teaches us sensibility, consciousness and to pay attention to the moment.

Dance is the manifestation of our being alive. Dance is transformation. Dance locates the soul, dance affords the body a spiritual dimension. Dance enables us to feel our body, to rise above, to go beyond, to be another body.

To dance is to participate actively in the vibration of the universe.

Source: http://iti.unesco.org