International Dance Day is observed around the world on April 29. Armenian State Pedagogical University hosted on Monday Mr Alkis Raftis, President of International Dance
Council at UNESCO, who arrived in Armenia on the occasion of the holiday.
The latter stressed that International Dance Day, a holiday celebrated around the globe, has united millions of people from different countries. He expressed his gladness for celebrating the holiday in Armenia, a country which has a rich heritage of traditional dances. “Each country has its typical dance style which makes it known all over the world; Spain is famous for flamenco, Cuba for salsa and Argentine for tango. Centuries-old Armenian folk dances, especially Kochari, [one of the most popular dances in Armenia] do not yield them in anything. I am happy and pleasantly surprised to see that Armenians skillfully perform the dances of other nationalities, besides their national dances,” he said.
The professor says the Armenian dance is very attractive and should be made known to the world. “Come to my country, perform and spread your dances, making them more fashionable. I am sure that the cooperation between Armenia and the Chair of Dance Pedagogy, ASPU, will gain fresh impetus,” he said.
Mr Alkis Raftis, who also heads the International Dance Council, handed over to Karen Gevorgyan, President of the National Dance Art Union of Armenia, Head of the Chair of Dance Pedagogy, ASPU, a certificate of membership to the Council, and said that the Dance World Congress will be held in Yerevan in 2014.
Also, the presentation of Armenian-language edition of the book “Ancient Dances and Theoretical Performances of Armenian People” by prominent ethnographer and folklorist Srbuhi Lisitsyan was held at ASPU. The editor of the book, Karen Gevorgyan, highlighted the compilation of ancient dances and dance tunes. "The form, nature and structure of folk dances that have been transferred from generation to generation over millennia, needed a serious scientific study, decoding and coordination. Now that the Armenian translation of the first volume of Lisitsyan’s unique heritage, which is the result of three years’ assiduous work, is laid on the table, I can say confidently that it will become new impetus for ethnographers, dance specialists, artists, choreographer, educators, and stage managers: Armenian dances will surely embark on a new phase of development.”
Karen Gevorgyan noted that N120 School of Yerevan has joined the events marking International Dance Day, with the students of the University’s Dance Department teaching schoolchildren traditional Armenian Kochari.
Participating in the event was Acting Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan. She congratulated the dance specialists on
the holiday and highlighted the conduct of the event at ASPU. “The presentation of Srbuhi Lisitsyan’s book and the important events [arranged on the occasion of International Dance Day] once again gathered us under the roof of ASPU’s Culture Faculty, which has a number of well-established traditions. Dance is a form of art that helps express the nation’s character, emotions and way of life,” she said.
Hasmik Poghosyan handed over to Alkis Raftis, President of the International Dance Council, UNESCO, a souvenir symbolizing the sacrament of the day.
Let us mention that during the event the students of the Department of Dance Pedagogy and Berd Ensemble presented two new dance performances – Armenian Valiants and Blessing of Grapes.
International Dance Day has been celebrated since 1982 by a decision of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
