In 1982, the ballet legend Dr Henrik Neubauer convinced the UNESCO International Theatre Institute to declare the birthday of the ballet reformer Jean-Georges Noverre (29 April 1727–19 October 1810) as International Dance Day.

Slovenia boasts more than a century-long history of ballet. This includes both the ballet in the Slovenian National Theatre, Opera and Ballet of Ljubljana, the Slovenian National Theatre, Opera and Ballet of Maribor and ballet institutions in other, smaller towns.

"The profession of a ballet dancer is definitely something special, as it combines a great physical skill and artistic expression without words. A dancer's tool of expression is their body. Constant training, the perfect control of muscles, the search for a beautiful line and harmony of gestures, and finally, constant control over oneself," says ballet dancer and professor Dr Henrik Neubauer of the art of ballet.

"When referring to Slovenian ballet we usually have in mind Slovenian dance creators and re-creators, but Slovenia also has a rich legacy of ballet music composed by Slovenian composers. The most notable among the scripts is the ballet Možiček (Little Man) composed by Slovenian composer Josip Ipavec (1873–1921) in 1900, which has seen 32 debuts with more than 300 repeat performances in Slovenia and abroad.

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