There’s something magical about going to the ballet. The music, the costumes, the lighting, the set and of course… the dance – graceful storytelling that expresses emotions and tales without uttering a single word. How many times have you had your breath taken away, simply by witnessing a dancer lose themselves to the performance? Or left a theatre feeling like time had stood still, as if you stepped back from entering another world? World Ballet Day encourages you to get out and see the ballet again, or for the first time if you haven’t already.
About World Ballet Day
World Ballet Day is a yearly organised event that celebrates the beauty of ballet and what it’s become today. Events are held all over the world, both in-person and online, so you get to enjoy this beautiful expression of the arts from wherever you are!
The celebration was founded in 2014 as a collaboration between some of the biggest dance companies in the world including the Bolshoi Ballet, the Royal Ballet, the Australian Ballet, the San Francisco Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada. Since then, over 50 leading companies all over the world participate, and each company uses the day to showcase their work, their performances and the backstage preparations that most people never get to see. It allows audiences a peek into the world beyond the stage, and brings to light all the people and work that goes into a ballet production or a ballet company. We also get a glimpse into the lives of dancers: what it takes to reach the very highest level of dance and performance, and the techniques and rehearsals that they use to stay there.
From World Ballet Day we get a better appreciation for ballet as an art form, as well as taking a moment to reflect on how much it has evolved. Keep in mind that ballet has come a loooong way since its origins as a court dance in the 15th century. Today, ballet is multi-faceted. Classical forms, traditional stories and contemporary choreographic innovations intertwine to produce the character of modern ballet. Every year we are invited to ask, What’s Next?
How to celebrate World Ballet Day
Go to the ballet! That’s the first and best way. And if you can’t, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to participate online, even our very own Singapore Ballet celebrates with a livestream of their incredible company class.
“To touch, to move, to inspire, both yourself and the world. That is the true gift of ballet.”
Happy World Ballet Day from all of us at BalletBody!
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