The World Ballet Day is celebrated every year and this year it is being celebrated on 2nd of November. World Ballet Day, is a global celebration that brings together over 50 of the world's leading ballet and dance companies for a packed day of dance.
Over the course of the day, rehearsals, discussions and classes are streamed for free across six continents, offering unique behind-the-scenes glimpses of ballet’s biggest stars and upcoming performers.
During this day the ballet dance is celebrated worldwide. Ballet, which can be traced back to the 15th century, is an intricate and artistic dance form that involves precise, light, and graceful movements and gestures, performed to music.
| Event | World Ballet Day |
|---|---|
| Date | November 2, 2022 |
| Day | Wednesday |
| Significance | The day celebrates and honors the art of the Ballet |
| Observed by | World wide |
World Ballet Day History:
The history of ballet dates all the way back to the 15th century during the Renaissance period in Italy and France. The dance was often performed by noblemen and women in the royal courts. However, the early form of ballet included not only dancing but music, poetry, décor, and costume, which was known as 'ballet de cour'. The development of this elaborate form of ballet was developed by Catherine de Medici, wife of King Henry II of France.
It was in the year 1681 when we witnessed the transition of ballet from the royal courts to the stage, where it was incorporated with operas outside of the royal courts, especially in France. In the 1700s, a French-ballet master revolutionized this ballet-opera trend, advocating that ballet deserved to stand on its own as a recognized genre. This led to the creation of yet another form of ballet, known as the 'ballet d'action'. This form involved expressive and dramatic movements that were used to tell stories through dance.
Later, Ballet started to decline in France after 1830, but it continued to develop in Denmark, Italy, and Russia. The arrival in Europe of the Ballets Russes led by Sergei Diaghilev on the eve of the First World War revived interest in the ballet and started the modern era. In the twentieth century, ballet had a wide influence on other dance genres, Also in the twentieth century, ballet took a turn dividing it from classical ballet to the introduction of modern dance, leading to modernist movements in several countries.
World Ballet Day was first celebrated on October 1st, 2014. On this special day, top ballet companies from around the world stream live videos over six continents, showcasing their behind-the-scenes preparations, rehearsals, and dance classes. The main companies that contribute to the event are The Australian Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, The Royal Ballet, the National Ballet of Canada, the San Francisco Ballet, and the Royal Swedish Ballet.
World Ballet Day Significance:
Ballet has been influential globally and has defined the foundational techniques which are used in many other dance genres and cultures. Various schools around the world have incorporated their own cultures. As a result, ballet has evolved in distinct ways. A ballet as a unified work comprises the choreography and music for a ballet production. Ballets are choreographed and performed by trained ballet dancers. Traditional classical ballets are usually performed with classical music accompaniment and use elaborate costumes and staging, whereas modern ballets are often performed in simple costumes and without elaborate sets or scenery.
Ballet is the foundation for all styles of dance! It may seem unbelievable that learning ballet can be useful to a hip hop or tap dancer, but the skill and technique acquired during ballet class is actually really, really helpful for all styles of dance! Ballet focuses so strongly on technique and the basics of dance movement that is incredibly helpful when dancers begin to learn other dance styles. Believe it or not, basic ballet movements such as plies and tendus, are constantly used throughout all styles of dance, and can often be found in contemporary and jazz performances.
Ballet is also essential in building a dancers strength and improving their flexibility. Ballet definitely isn't easy, and often pushes the body to its limits, therefore improving muscle strength and flexibility! This gained flexibility and strength is important during dance class, both for safety and performance quality. It is very important that dancers have enough strength to perform difficult dance movement, in order to avoid injury, and ballet is perfect for this purpose! In terms of flexibility, dancers are able to improve the quality of their performance by improving flexibility.
Along with all the advantages of performing ballet we must also not forget that it is a beautiful form of art as well which needs to be appreciated and celebrated. It is such a beautiful and graceful form of dance that leaves audiences captivated and that's why watching a ballet performance is one of the most wonderful experience that everyone should experience especially those who loves art! Watching ballet is an immersive experience. Some report that watching one is soothing, refreshing, and has a calming effect. Hence this day aims to encourage people to take a interest in one of the beautiful form if art in the world which is ballet and it also encourages people to learn it or make a career in it.
World Ballet Day Celebrations:
What can be more better way to celebrate World Ballet Day than by watching all of the events taking place on this day. As said earlier during World Ballet Day several ballet companies around the world organizes various ballet dance events and they streams it online worldwide so it is an opportunity for you to watch this event to admire these beautiful ballet performance, this will also help in building your interest towards this dance form.
It is time for you to learn some ballet yourself! Yes even if you are not a good dancer try to your hands or should we say legs at ballet! There are many dancing schools or online websites teaching ballet so take the use of this opportunity of World Ballet Day and learn some of the moves of ballet, start with some of the basic steps and then record your progress over time it will be a very fun experience so do try it.
If you are already familiar with the dance form of Ballet then it us the moment for you to show off your dancing skills in front of the public. You can also participate in the events organized on this day by various ballet companies or if you are unable to get involved with it then you can organize your own ballet show at any public show or simply can show off your ballet dancing skills to your friends, neighbors, family, etc.
Most Searched FAQs on World Ballet Day:
1. When is World Ballet Day celebrated?
World Ballet Day in 2022 is being celebrated on 2nd November.
2. Is ballet hard or easy?
Ballet is one of the hardest art forms to accomplish, it takes dancers many years to be satisfied with certain moves, steps and jumps. The dance as a whole is incredibly difficult, however, there are certain moves that take a lot of extra time and practice to perfect.
3. Are ballet classes expensive?
Learning ballet can be fairly expensive. Aside from classes, other costs include costumes, shoes, accessories, and dance competition expenses.