Happy International Dance Day! 国际舞蹈日快乐 (Guójì Wǔdǎo Rì kuàilè)！
International Dance Day, celebrated globally on the 29th of April every year since 1982, is an annual celebration of how dancing positively impacts our lives.
Click to read more about International Dance Day
In 1982 the Dance Committee of ITI founded International Dance Day to be celebrated every year on the 29th April, the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), creator of modern ballet. The intention of the International Dance Day Message is to celebrate dance, revel in the universality of this art form, cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers, and bring people together with a common language – dance.
1982年，国际戏剧协会ITI旗下舞蹈委员会成立国际舞蹈日这一艺术节日，日期定在每年的4月29日，这一天也是现代芭蕾之父Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810)的诞辰日。 每年的国际舞蹈日都会有一位杰出的舞蹈界人士撰写献辞。献辞的目的在于庆祝舞蹈这一能够跨越政治、文化、种族障碍，能够将人们聚在一起的全球共通的艺术形式。
Internationaldanceday.org
On this special day, we are pleased to invite Liu Ningning (刘宁宁), a first-year PhD student in Law at Queen’s, to share her life with dancing, in particular, her experience with the QUB Dance Club.
Being part of the QUB Dance team has been one of the best decisions I have made since arriving in Belfast. It reminded me that pursuing academic excellence and personal passions can go hand-in-hand, and that life at Queen’s is full of wonderful opportunities to connect, challenge yourself, and grow.
When I began my PhD journey at Queen’s last September, I was determined not only to immerse myself in academic life but also to contribute actively to the vibrant community here. As a first-year PhD student at the School of Law under a DfE scholarship, I was honoured to be elected as the PhD Student Representative on the Doctoral Studies Committee. Yet another important and unexpected chapter unfolded beyond the library and lecture halls — through dance.
Click to read more about Ningning’s academic background
Ningning Liu, a commercial lawyer with a Juris Master degree from Fudan University and a BA in German Language and Literature from Tongji University, has been awarded the prestigious AHSS International DfE Award. Ningning will begin her PhD at the School of Law, focusing on women’s rights to political participation in modern China — specifically in Shanghai from the 1840s to the 1940s — and seeks to draw lessons for women’s empowerment today. Her research addresses critical questions about the role of women in shaping the legislative, political, and social landscapes in modern Shanghai, and the lasting impact of their political engagement on China and beyond. (Source: QUB School of Law)
After successfully passing a competitive audition, I became an active member of the QUB Dance Club, being the only international, Asian, and PhD student among a team primarily composed of undergraduates. It since has been an unforgettable and transformative experience for me.
Throughout the year, alongside my academic progress, I devoted many evenings and weekends to rehearsals, participated in major fundraising events such as So You Think You Can Dance and QUB Strictly Come Dancing (where we raised over £1,200 for charity in total!), and proudly represented Queen’s at national dance competitions in Leeds and Liverpool. One of the highlights was when our team won 2nd place in the Advanced Hip-Hop category — a moment that filled me with pride, not just for myself, but for everyone who had worked tirelessly alongside me.
Coming from Shanghai, I have been dancing hip-hop for around five years. For me, dance is not just a hobby — it is a part of who I am. I was thrilled to find that even during my intense PhD life, I could continue this passion at Queen’s. In fact, dance has made me more energetic, better at time management, and even more focused on my research. My supervisors have been incredibly supportive, and I am deeply grateful for their encouragement.
Of course, this journey was not without its challenges. As the only international and PhD member of the team, I initially found it demanding to adjust to the fast-paced, competitive environment dominated by undergraduates. I needed to develop greater flexibility in my approach to teamwork, quickly learn new choreography, and adapt to the group’s dynamic performance style. I actively sought feedback from more experienced teammates, spent additional hours practicing, and carefully analysed recorded performances to identify areas for improvement. Gradually, I adapted my style to align more closely with the team’s approach while also introducing elements of my own background in dance to add creative variety. These experiences not only strengthened my ability to think flexibly and critically to assess my progress but also boosted my confidence in tackling new challenges.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been the friendships I built within the team. Regardless of our different disciplines and cultural backgrounds, we have connected well through our shared passion for dance. I am truly inspired by the team’s spirit, commitment, and the way everyone supports each other both on and off the stage. Their high level of organisation and drive constantly motivate me to push myself, improve, and contribute more.
Age, nationality, and background melted away the moment we stepped into the Blue Sky Room or onto the stage of Mandela Hall. During competitions in Leeds and Liverpool, when I received applause and compliments from competitors and audience members, I felt great joy — not just personally, but as a proud representative of Chinese and Asian women. We are strong, resilient, and accomplished, and I believe we should be brave in showing that to the world in every arena we enter.
After the competition season, our hip-hop team was also invited to perform at Queen’s Annual Fashion Show and the QUB Dance Annual Showcase. I made every effort to participate in all the events I could, and in doing so, I learned not only new choreography and performance skills but also valuable lessons about resilience, teamwork, and self-discovery.
If you love dancing, or simply want to try something new, I wholeheartedly encourage you to join a club or society at Queen’s. You never know what amazing experiences and friendships are waiting for you to explore and enjoy!
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