Mr. Speaker, today Canadians across the country are celebrating International Dance Day.
Since its founding in 1982 by the International Theatre Institute of UNESCO, the aim of International Dance Day has been to bring all dance together on this occasion; to celebrate this art form and revel in its universality; and to cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers and bring people together in peace and friendship with a common language: dance.
April 29 also commemorates the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre who was born in 1727 and is credited as being the creator of modern ballet.
I ask all members to join me in celebrating International Dance Day and to celebrate dance as an art form to bring people together in peace and friendship through the shared language of dance.