"Dance of the Sacraments" (by Magda Roussi, Canada)

The following text has been sent by Magda Roussi, painter, who participates in our Mail Art Exhibition.

"Avoid intolerance and extremism through inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue"

The “Dance of the Sacraments,” is an original ballet presenting the Sacraments, the central tenants of faith, of the three great monotheistic religions - Islam, Christianity and Judaism – in a common celebration of spirituality.
This inter-cultural and inter-religious ballet has been conceived and is being created to counter escalating religious intolerance and extremism and to promote harmony, understanding and tolerance by creating a forum and a context for intercultural dialogue in Europe, the Middle East and throughout the world. The “Dance of the Sacraments” has as its central purpose teaching comparative religion through performance art using the international language of music and ballet.
These professional and youth dancers will dance the ballet that evolves into monotheism and concludes with the celebration of the similarities of the three great religions. In this Dance Extravaganza the Sacraments of the three monotheistic religions present their individual identities while merging and converging and conversing with those of their spiritual cousins.
The “Dance of the Sacraments” will advance individual enlightenment, regional harmony and constructive globalization by promoting diversity through inter-cultural dialogue leading to cultural, ethnic and religious understanding.
The national performances will attract audiences from the three faith communities, the arts and literary communities and will have broad appeal to the general public.
The “Dance of the Sacraments” will provide support for sustaining culture and the arts and will provide opportunity and support for youth ballet dancers to interact while developing professionally as they work together on this ecumenical project proposal.
The “Dance of the Sacraments” will be thoroughly leading to a series of publications on advancing intercultural dialogue.
4-10-2009
Magda Roussi