29 April 2016

Happy World Dance Day 2016!

Armada and Dance...
Ms. Seval Ugur who is one of the pioneers of tango dancers who also performed
at the Armada Hotel, reading the official Dance Day message in 2004!

Since 1994, the year of our foundation, Armada and dance is a couple that never left each other!
Today is the international Dance Day held by CID and here is the 2016 official dance message:


The official message for
Dance Day
29 April 2016

    The media report mainly on dance performances, rarely on dance classes. On the other hand learning dance is more widespread than performing: ten times more people practice dance in class than perform on stage.
    The current economic crisis barely affected dance schools: while many businesses closed very few dance schools did, at worst they lost some students. This proves once more that dance is among the most basic needs - people opt to reduce other expenses rather than stop paying for dance classes.
    State subsidies to companies and public conservatories were reduced, so they turn more and more to private sponsors. Private schools rely on fees paid by students so they turn increasingly to advertising to attract more students. They enlarge the range of dances taught, they organize events, they become more outward and flexible.
    Unfortunately organizations in some countries try to limit the number of dance teachers by putting pressure on governments to recognize only diplomas offered by them. We believe that teaching dance should be open to all without any restrictions.
    Nothing should stop an individual from teaching, learning or performing an art, whether music, theater, dance, painting or poetry.
    We do encourage all to study seriously and obtain certificates and diplomas in order to gain the confidence of students, but we insist that qualifications should not be restrictive by keeping others from teaching in private practice. Governments should resist pressure from interest groups trying to create their own monopoly in any art.
    A good professional is happy to rely on his/her talent, knowledge and reputation, not on privileges accorded by regulations keeping others from competing and comparing with him. Art by definition is inclusive, not exclusive.
    Dance Day 2016 is dedicated to maintaining an open doors policy in teaching dance.

Alkis Raftis
President of the International Dance Council CID, 
UNESCO, Paris