International Jazz Day (30/04)

The first International Jazz Day was held in 2012. The UNESCO General Conference announced the introduction of a new date into the calendar and the establishment of its celebration on April 30 in November 2011.

The purpose of the holiday, its founders, was to increase the degree of awareness of the international community about the pedagogical role of jazz as a force promoting peace, unity, dialogue and expanding contacts between people«.

Currently, many public organizations, educational institutions and individuals, as well as government authorities, provide support for the promotion of jazz, and International Jazz Day — is one of the tools for this.

Jazz emerged in the late 19th — early 20th century in the United States as a synthesis of African and European cultures and remains to this day a unique form of musical art that unites races and nationalities and blurs the boundaries between people and states.

Therefore, jazz is a symbol of unity and peace, reduces tensions between people, social groups and communities, and promotes gender equality. Jazz encourages artistic innovation, improvisation, new forms of creative activity, as well as the use of traditional musical forms in the creation of new genres. Jazz promotes intercultural dialogue and provides support to young people from marginalized backgrounds.

In addition, jazz music has also encouraged and provided an opportunity for many women to move beyond the traditional gender roles prepared for them by conservative society. In the US in particular, this music has helped provide jobs for women in the music industry, for example as performers. Until the 1920s of the last century, almost all popular music was performed exclusively by male musicians.

On the occasion of the first Jazz Day, then Director General of UNESCO Irina Bokova noted: «Jazz throughout its history has always been a factor of positive change, it remains so today. This is why UNESCO proclaimed International Jazz Day. This music, at the origins of which lies slavery, has always passionately opposed all forms of oppression. She speaks a language of freedom that is essential to all cultures. UNESCO is guided by the same goals in its efforts to build bridges of dialogue and understanding between all cultures and societies».

Therefore, while celebrating International Jazz Day, UNESCO pays tribute to the unique musical style that is jazz; Raises international awareness by emphasizing the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding; strengthens international cooperation and connections in the field of jazz music.

The first day of jazz was marked by a festive program, which included live performances by musicians, master classes and round tables with the participation of people who made a great contribution to the development of this art. In subsequent years, such events became traditional. Today, the celebration of International Day begins in Australia and takes place in cities in 190 countries. The main event of Jazz Day — concert with the participation of the most outstanding jazz performers in the world, which takes place in the UN General Assembly Hall in New York.

By the way, the word «jazz» was first mentioned in print on April 2, 1912, and on March 8, 1929, the premiere of the performance «Theajaz» —, the first production of L. Utesov’s jazz orchestra, took place in Leningrad.



• Infographics – poster «April 30 — International Jazz Day»

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