Living World Atlas of Dance

“Every dance is a territory; together they become a living world.”

History & cultural context

The Living World Atlas of Dance connects the twelve worlds of this site into one map: classical and contemporary stage forms, competitive and social partner dances, street and club cultures, and the folk and ritual traditions of the peoples of the world. Each world shows its history, key people, music and video.

Since 1982, International Dance Day has been celebrated every year on 29 April, the birthday of the choreographer Jean-Georges Noverre. UNESCO's 2003 Convention protects dance as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Masters, schools & legacy

Dance has always been passed on through bodies, but also through notation — such as Labanotation and Benesh Movement Notation — through film and today through digital archives. This atlas separates documented facts from artistic interpretation, and it grows with corrections and contributions from the people who keep these traditions.

Further reading

• UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
• International Dance Day — Wikipedia
• Dance notation — Wikipedia

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