A PERMANENT reminder have been unveiled to a dance festival that takes over a town centre for a week each year.

The 'World United by Dance' sculpture has taken centre stage to mark Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance's long association with the town.

Cllr Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton Borough Council was joined by Mexican sculptress Carmen Avalos, international dancers and local residents for the unveiling.

To mark the occasion the sculptress flew over to Billingham for the ceremony that was also celebrated with a ten-minute commissioned dance routine, “Dance Spiral” choreographed by company-in-residence, Balbir Singh Dance Company.

This was accompanied by a display of traditional Mexican dance by Ballet Folklorico del Estado de Hidalgo and Balletlagrana Autlán Jalisco.

Cllr Cook said: “The town is lucky to have a festival that enables us to attract performers from all over the world for an annual exchange of different cultural customs.”

Carmen Avalos, who created the two metre high sculpture, added: “When I’m sitting in front of the clay dreaming up my ideas, music can be heard playing throughout my studio, and it inspires me to create the work. I want the people of Billingham to recognise that everyone can be at one with dance. Its universal values, philosophies and spirit can be found in all of our hearts.”

Olga Maloney, artistic director of the festival, said: “The thinking behind the sculpture was to have a permanent feature in the Town Centre that reminds the residents of the Folklore Festival all the year round. The dancers sweep into the town for one week each year and bring their energy, culture and passion for dance which is shared by everyone involved.”

The festival finishes today (Saturday August 20) with a Farewell Gala Concert in the Festival Arena at 2.30pm.