World Culture Festival Comes to Hampton Roads March 25, 2023
An epic celebration of diversity, unity and wellness will feature performances by local artists and inspiring messages from Hampton Roads leaders
Virginia Beach, VA – Today the Hampton Roads Chapters of the Art of Living Foundation and International Association for Human Values announced the inaugural World Culture Festival in Hampton Roads to celebrate and honor the rich cultural and artistic expressions in the community. The festival will take place on Saturday, March 25 from 11am to 6pm at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
The World Culture Festival in Hampton Roads honors the world’s rich diversity expressed through music, art, food, dance, meditation and inspirational messages from local leaders. The local festival is a regional precursor to the World Culture Festival 2023 that will take place in Washington, D.C. from September 29 through October 1, 2023 on the historic National Mall.
The World Culture Festival honors the world’s rich diversity expressed through music, art, food, dance, meditation and inspirational messages. (Photo credit: Art of Living)
The festival was inspired by global humanitarian leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s message that the human values of love, compassion and care can only be nurtured when the world comes together as one family.
“When celebration comes from a place of enthusiasm and joy, it can uplift and unite all around us, bringing freedom from our traumatic past and sparking hope for the future,” said Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. “This type of celebration is service. It is sacred. Turn your celebration into a sacred offering for society.”
The World Culture Festival in Hampton Roads will feature local Hampton Roads leaders, who will reflect on their visions of unity and share techniques to foster resilience and harmony. More than 25 diverse cultural performances will highlight the festival and more than 30 ethnic and cultural organizations in Hampton Roads will participate in the celebration.
Among the wide array of festival programming, there will be well-being sessions, continental culture booths, a yoga flash mob and a chance to indulge in a variety of rich international cuisine.
The aim of the World Culture Festival in Hampton Roads is to unite communities around Virginia and Hampton Roads, celebrate differences, and support initiatives that can build resilience and harmony in the community. The festival offers an opportunity to step into a new story and a new moment – from loss to celebration, from divisiveness to harmony and from loneliness and isolation to a sense of belonging.
The World Culture Festival in Hampton Roads has been a significant feat for the Hampton Roads community, given the extraordinary challenges the past few years – a global pandemic, racial injustice, economic disruption and environmental threats.
Registration and ticket information for the March festival in Hampton Roads can be found at https://worldculturefest.com/hamptonroads. Tickets are $10 ($5 early bird online). Age 15 & under are free.
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World Culture Festival in Hampton Roads Promotional Video (Video Credit: Art of Living)
Past World Culture Festival Photos (Photo Credit: Art of Living)
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 International Association for Human Values (IAHV)
The International Association for Human Values offers programs to reduce stress and develop leaders so that human values can flourish in people and communities. IAHV’s initiatives help foster a sense of connectedness and respect for all people and the natural environment, an attitude of non-violence, and an ethic of social service. The various programs offered by IAHV help enhance clarity of mind, shift attitudes and behaviors, and develop leaders and communities that are resilient, responsible, and inspired.
About World Culture Festival 2023 in Washington, D.C.
World Culture Festival 2023 will be held in Washington, D.C. from September 29 through October 1, 2023 on the historic National Mall. The unforgettable, historic three-day celebration will honor our rich human diversity expressed through music, art, food, dance, meditation and inspirational talks. Hosted by The Art of Living Foundation, visitors from every corner of the globe will travel to the U.S. capital to be a part of World Culture Festival 2023.
This landmark event will bring the world together in celebration to uplift the human spirit and reaffirm a collective commitment to peace and unity. In its fourth iteration, the World Culture Festival in Washington, D.C. will be an Olympic-scale celebration, with expected participation from over 180 countries.
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