2023 World Culture Festival: Day One Recap
Hundreds of thousands attended the historic opening night program organized by The Art of Living Foundation
Washington, D.C. – The Art of Living Foundation’s (AOLF) World Culture Festival kicked off last night in a monumental way with hundreds of thousands attending. Organizers are expecting unprecedented crowds for this historic three-day gathering on the National Mall, placing it among the largest events ever in the nation’s capital. Friday night’s attendees were treated to a stunning opening night program celebrating diversity, with scores of people from over 180 countries also expected today and tomorrow. A full weekend of festivities is confirmed to take place live and in-person, unaffected by a potential government shutdown. Organizers have already registered nearly 800,000 passes for the weekend.
Opening night of the World Culture Festival on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
(Credit: The Art of Living Foundation)
The first night’s program featured memorable performances from thousands of artists representing both their global cultures and local communities around the United States. Highlights include the magic of mystical legends and folklore in Arabian Nights; honoring the elements through grandeur and pageantry in an Indian Classical dance; a peek into the unique Swiss Alphorns; the captivating US Pershing’s Own with 260 high school students performing the national anthem; a celebration of the US and India with America the Beautiful and Vande Mataram; the expression of unity in diversity with the fusion of four cultural dance forms - contemporary ballet, hip hop, African dance and Bollywood fusion with 250 university dancers; and Skip Marley’s tribute to love and his legendary grandfather, Bob Marley, in One Love. Singers, dancers, and musicians of all ages gathered on the 36,000 square foot stage - for many, the largest stage and audience for which they had ever performed.
Founder of the Art of Living and global humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar welcomed to the stage dignitaries from around the world to reavow their commitment to peace and unity in this time of particular uncertainty, violence, and polarization.
Speakers included chairperson of the World Culture Festival Reception Committee and 8th General Secretary of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon; U.S. Senator Rick Scott, U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis; U.S. Representative Neil Dunn; D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser; Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar; Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo; Former Prime Minister of Slovenia, Mr. Alosjz Peterie; Former Vice President of the European Parliament, Ryzsard Czarnecki; Former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Science and Technology of Japan, Hakubun Shimomura; Former UN Deputy Secretary General and Executive Director, UNEP & Former Minister of International Development of Norway, Erik Solheim.
Mayor Muriel Bowser addresses the crowd at the World Culture Festival
(Credit: The Art of Living Foundation)
Art of Living Founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar joined dignitaries from around the world including Ban Ki-moon (his left) for the World Culture Festival
(Credit: The Art of Living Foundation)
AOLF spokesperson Kushal Choksi said of the incredible registration numbers, “We are thrilled to see how the message and spirit of the World Culture Festival has resonated with the entire world. Nearly a million people have claimed their passes and the best is yet to come this weekend!”
Photos from last night’s program are available here and should be credited to The Art of Living Foundation.
Today, the World Culture Festival began its second day of events with a special yoga gathering, featuring over 2,000 instructors and enthusiasts spanning the grounds in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Gurudev offered a special meditation to attendees afterwards. The Festival Village is open to the public starting at 12:00 pm with activities for the whole family offered until 6:00 pm, including:
Meditation Oasis
Wellness tents to promote relaxation and inner peace through:
Breathwork and meditation
Soundbaths
Art
Drawing & Painting
Poetry
Ayurveda tips
Kids Zone
Tents promoting an immersive, fun, visually enriching and educational experience to honor diversity and promote wellness in children and youths through:
Crafts
Breathwork
Meditation
Ripple Effect
Guided exhibit of the incredible achievements of several life-changing programs offered by the Art of Living Foundation and the International Association for Human Values (IAHV). Exhibit will inspire positive change in community building.
Tonight’s stage program will begin at 6:00pm and attendees can look forward to:
Performances by:
Beats of Go Go music
“I Belong 2 You” Youth Chorus
Sounds of the Swiss Alps
Garba for Unity: A Global Celebration with 7,000 dancers
Una Familia: WCF Official Theme Song - 150 performers
Songs & Smiles: A Celebration of Chinese Culture
Bhangra Dance Euphoria
Heart of Ukraine: Folk Music & Dance - 100 dancers
Wonders of Bulgaria
Irish Step Dance
Mystical Afghan Melodies
“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” Choir
Timeless Echoes: Artists From the World Forum for Arts and Culture
Beats of Brazil: Batala and Capoeira
Flavors of Bolivia
Wonderful Indonesia
Rhythms of LATAM
Sounds of Pakistan: Music and Dance - 100 dancers
1000 Voice Gospel Choir
Celebrating 50 Years of HipHop: Then & Now - 100 breakdancers
List of Speakers
H.E. Prithvirajsing Roopun, President of Mauritius
Mr. Ramnath Kovind, Former President of India
Mr. Moncef Marzouki, Former President of Tunisia
Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General
Mrs. Rosalia Arteaga Serrano, Former President of Ecuador
Mrs. Akie Abe, Former First Lady of Japan
Mr. Federico Franco, Former President of Paraguay
The Honorable Charles S. Ramson, MP, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Guyana
The Honorable Brigadier Geoffrey Van Orden CBE, Former Leader of British Conservatives in the European Parliament
The Honorable Dr. André Hahn, Member of Parliament, Germany
The Honorable Rep. Kevin Kiley
Mr. Tim Draper, Founder, Draper Associates
The Honorable Mr. Sergiu Prodan, Minister of Culture, Moldova
Registration is free and open to all ages. Full Festival information can be found at https://wcf.artofliving.org.
The 2023 World Culture Festival Event Map
(Download here)
Also happening today - over 1,000 leaders from business, government, and international institutions attending the Festival are convening at the Global Leadership Forum (GLF). Attendees are exchanging ideas and forging partnerships to address key corporate and societal challenges of our time. The theme of this year’s GLF is “Shaping a Humane Future.” The Forum will feature inspirational keynotes from global leaders, including Mike Perlis, Vice Chairman of Forbes Media and Tim Draper, venture capital entrepreneur and founder of Draper Associates.
MEDIA ACCESS:
World Culture Festival 2023 welcomes press outlets from Washington, D.C. and around the world to capture the weekend's festivities. We are happy to provide approved members of the media with exclusive access to reserved risers, mult-box access and stand-up space, dedicated all-weather tented work space, and equipment storage.
Media members are asked to submit a press credential application HERE to be considered. Please reach out to WCF2023@lindarothpr.com with any questions or to request interview opportunities with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, speakers, performers, or other partners.
MEDIA RESOURCES:
PHOTOS: Friday, September 29 World Culture Festival Washington DC (Photo Credit: Art of Living)
World Culture Festival Compilation Video (Video Credit: Art of Living)
Berlin WCF Footage (Video Credit: Art of Living)
New Delhi WCF Footage (Video Credit: Art of Living)
Past World Culture Festival Photos from 2016 and 2011 (Photo Credit: Art of Living)
#WCF2023: Official Hashtag for World Culture Festival 2023
#UnitedWeCelebrate; #TheArtofLiving: Secondary Hashtags
About Art of Living Foundation
Operating in 180 countries, The Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) is a non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization founded in 1981 by the renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. All of AOLF’s programs are inspired by Gurudev’s philosophy of creating world peace through a stress-free and violence-free society. AOLF has touched over 800 million lives through numerous educational and self-development programs and tools that facilitate the elimination of stress and foster deep and profound inner peace, happiness and well-being for individuals.
About Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a global humanitarian, spiritual leader, and peace envoy. He has helped millions of people worldwide find peace and resilience in the face of adversity, learning not only how to excel in their own lives, but also how to become powerful agents for social change.
Gurudev has created trauma-relief and meditation programs for at-risk youth, war veterans, prisoners and survivors of disaster. He has also created numerous educational and self-development programs and tools that facilitate the elimination of stress and foster deep and profound inner peace, happiness and well-being for individuals.
Standing for the Gandhian principles of non-violence, Gurudev has mediated and progressed negotiations for peace in conflict-stricken areas such as Sri Lanka, Iraq, Venezuela, and Colombia, where he is credited for playing a central role in ending the violent 52-year conflict between FARC and the Colombian government. He has received 39 governmental awards, including highest civilian awards from several nations. Twenty-four universities have awarded him with honorary doctorates for his peace-keeping and humanitarian efforts.
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