World leaders, >1,000 artists & entertainers to participate in the Olympic-scale celebration alongside an expansive list of interfaith spiritual leaders.
WASHINGTON DC / ACCESSWIRE / May 18, 2023 / Today, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser joined global humanitarian and peacemaker Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living, to announce the preliminary lineup for the 2023 World Culture Festival, to be held September 29 through October 1, 2023, on the historic National Mall in the U.S. capital.
World Culture Festival The World Culture Festival will come to the United States for the first time in its history this fall: Sept 29 - Oct. 1 on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
The Honorable Mayor Muriel Bowser: "We are delighted to host the fourth-annual World Culture Festival. Washington, D.C. is the perfect city to bring people together from around the globe. We are a city that celebrates diversity and inclusivity, a global city, a welcoming city, and a city that loves visitors. We know that Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's message that 'diversity is the beauty of creation' aligns with our D.C. values. So, we invite people to plan their visits, and we'll see you in the fall!"
The World Culture Festival, which has attracted millions in its previous iterations in Asia and Europe, will come to the United States for the first time ever for an epic celebration of global diversity, unity and peace:
- #YOUnitedWeCelebrate: Gurudev and Mayor Bowser invited the public to join in on the world's largest celebration of diversity and belongingness.
- Bridging the Divide: Amidst increasing political and societal polarization, world leaders will come together to affirm a collective intention for unity and peace.
- Social Connection: As the world grapples with epidemic loneliness, isolation, and mental health burden, the Festival's attendees will experience the power of social connection.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: "We need to bridge the gap. There is a lot of polarization in the world. The World Culture Festival is an occasion for people to come together and celebrate each other's differences. It is the need of the hour, to bring people together in celebration and to spread the message of peace and to say that we are one human family."
PRELIMINARY LINEUP:
- Over 50 world leaders, including current and former heads of state, members of national parliaments and international governmental organizations, have already committed to attending the Festival, including:
- H.E. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary General of the United Nations
- H.E. Chan Santokhi, President of Suriname
- H.E. Pravind Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius
- H.E. Vicente Fox, Former President of Mexico
- H.E. Federico Franco, Former President of Paraguay
- H.E. Venkaiah Naidu, Former Vice President of India
- H.E. Alojz Peterle, Former Prime Minister of Slovenia
- H.E. Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, Former President of Ecuador
- H.E. Kjell Magne-Bondevik, Former Prime Minister of Norway
- Hon. Hildebrando Tapia, Former Member of Andean Parliament
Thousands of unique performers and artists will take part in the jam-packed entertainment lineup. All performers are based in the United States, representing the cultures and heritage of over 35 countries and counting. Performance groups include:
- 1,000+ Chinese Cultural Performers
- 1,000-Person Gospel Choir
- 500 Indian Classical Dancers
- 500-Person Global Dance Mashup
- 200 Hip-Hop Dancers
- 200 Ukrainian Dancers
- 200 Latin-American Dancers
- 100 Afghan Performers
- 100 Native American Performers
A global Faith Advisory council is being convened in support of the World Culture Festival. The council, composed of leaders from faiths of the world, will share messages about common values of peace, harmony and partnership to nurture greater unity and togetherness. More details to come.
There will be a diverse international food festival associated with the event that is expected to attract thousands to sample international cuisines made by chefs from around the capital region. Over 50 ethnic food trucks are expected to be in a designated area along the National Mall.
There will be multiple pop-up cultural events throughout the District of Columbia leading up to the festival, including at least one in each of D.C.'s eight community wards. These pop-ups will be a chance for D.C. residents and visitors to preview and experience the celebration of culture and unity before the historic event from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. Details and dates for all upcoming pop-ups will be announced soon.
The first D.C. pop-up is Saturday, May 20 at the picturesque Meridian Hill Park. The free pop-up is open to the public and will have music, dance, yoga and meditation. The afternoon's highlight will be a live meditation conducted by Art of Living founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. F
