WORLD CULTURE FESTIVAL 2023 WASHINGTON, DC
WORLD CULTURE FESTIVAL 2023 REPORT “The purpose of the World Culture Festival is to send a message that the whole world is one family and we can all coexist with our differences. It is an opportunity for leaders from all segments of society - business, politics, religion, academia - to come together and renew their vision to work for the common welfare. The Festival provides a platform for the preservation of local and indigenous traditions through music and dance as well as the opportunity for everyone else to relish and enjoy. This is a movement for the revival of universal human values such as love, compassion, and friendliness.” - Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
1.1M Attendees
180 Countries Represented
The World Culture Festival 2023 was a historic celebration of humanity’s rich cultural diversity and the underlying spirit that connects us as a “one world family.” Organized on the iconic National Mall by the Art of Living Foundation, the three-day Festival convened leaders in government, the arts, civil society, science and technology to build bridges that are essential to celebrating our common humanity. It helped forge bonds across cultures and countries. It fostered exposure to global heritage and traditions and helped activate multidimensional discourse on global challenges. As the United States Congress came together to avert a government shutdown, an estimated 1.1 million attendees from 180 countries gathered for a landmark celebration of unity from September 29 to October 1, 2023 in the heart of Washington, D.C. The Fourth World Culture Festival, inspired by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, featured many firsts: The honorary Reception Committee was composed of 65 members including current and former heads of state, as well as 30 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. The Organizing Committee was composed of 34 luminaries from business, government, and civil society. The World Culture Festival was akin to a cultural olympics - without the competition! More than 17,000 artists showcased 50 cultural performances representing 60 countries over the three days. On Saturday, 7,000 Yogis gathered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for an authentic practice of Yoga. The Global Leadership Forum convened 1,000 business leaders in conversation to shape a more humane future for all.
$60M
“I want to thank the World Culture Festival organizers and the Art of Living Foundation for choosing to come to Washington, DC… We know that hundreds of thousands of people will join us this weekend…we know this celebration will inspire in their hearts peace, kindness, and a love of the global community.”
Economic Impact
- The Honorable Muriel Bowser, Mayor of DC.
17,000 Performers
1.5B Online Reach
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Overview
Overview
Economic Impact •
The Festival had an estimated impact of $60 million+ in the DC Metro Area.
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115+ Restaurants and 25+ Hotels catered to attendees from 180 countries.
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Almost all Air BnB’s in the District were sold out.
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500,000+ people were served food at the Festival’s World Cafe, which also featured more than 70 additional food trucks.
Social Impact •
The Festival helped forge significant partnerships with a number of historically impactful organizations including the D.C. Government, Destination DC, Events DC, the Commission for Arts and Humanities, among others
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In the lead up to the World Culture Festival, 40 events were organized attracting close to 50,000 attendees.
Mayor of DC, The Honorable Muriel Bowser welcomes the world to Washington
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DAY 1 Amidst the melodies of Howard University’s Showtime Marching Band, a nadaswaram symphony, and the US Army Blues Band, attendees of the first day of the World Culture Festival were welcomed by Convener and Art of Living President, Rob Trombold. A Blessing over the Land was offered by 100 Turtle Island Native American performers.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Art of Living Founder
Founder and visionary behind the World Culture Festival, Gurudev, remarked on what it means to be human: “We have the goodness inherent in us, and that comes when we realize we are one world family. Let’s create more happiness in society, let’s bring more smiles and wipe tears. That’s humanness.”
H.E. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations
H.E. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Chair of the Reception Committee, delivered opening remarks, calling on attendees “to live more harmoniously with nature and each other.” 04
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the audience to “work harder to protect humanity and planet Earth from the rapidly approaching climate crisis. Here, I commend Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s inspiring vision of unity, diversity, and global citizenship. We need more of these sorts of celebrations. We need more coming together, more peace and more cooperation, solidarity, and partnership.”
Honorable S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India
Amidst inspiring performances from a 1,000-member global guitar ensemble and a 250-person East Meets West global dance fusion, the audience also heard from the Honorable S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, who congratulated the Art of Living Foundation that “global thought and international understanding is so visible as I look around me. Humanity is truly a diverse group and this is expressed through culture, traditions, heritage, and identities.”
Former Slovenian Prime Minister Alojz Peterle
“Music unites. We need more music and more joy,” said former Slovenian Prime Minister Alojz Peterle before he surprised the audience with a harmonica performance.
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Reverend Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo
On behalf of the Vatican, Reverend Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo shared that “to have peace, we need inner peace.” Highlight performances included 150 dancers performing Arabian Nights and 600 Indian Classical dancers performing Panchabootham, a melodious symphony representing the five elements.
Senior Congressman Danny K. Davis
Japanese Member of Parliament Hakubun Shimomura
“This is the Olympics of world culture… everyone wins the gold medal of happiness!” said Japanese Member of Parliament Hakubun Shimomura representing the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. He also offered to host the next World Culture Festival in Japan.
Towards the end of the night, Senior Congressman Danny K. Davis shared moving words: “one of my most favorite expressions is: I sought my soul and my soul I could not see. I sought my god, and He eluded me. But then I sought my brother and my sister and found all three. How good and pleasant it is for brothers and sisters to dwell together in unity and of one accord.”
DAY 1 Speakers • • • • • • • •
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Rob Trombold, President of Art of Living Foundation, USA, and Convener of the World Culture Festival His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the UN and Chair of the Reception Committee Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of Bharat Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Harmonica Surprise with Mr. Alojz Peterle, Former PM of Slovenia Message from H.H. The Pope through The Reverend Bishop emeritus Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, Chancellor emeritus of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences; The Holy See Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL) The Honorable Hakubun Shimomura, MP, Former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Science and Technology, Japan The Honorable Ryzsard Czarnecki, Former VP of European Parliament Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of Nigeria Mr. Erik Solheim, Former UN Deputy Secretary General and Exec. Director, UNEP & Former Minister of International Development, Norway Representative Shri Thanedar (D-MI)
Skip Marley performing “One Love” with East Meets West Fusion Dancers
Performances • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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Howard University Showtime Marching Band Turtle Island Welcomes the World U.S. National Anthem by the U.S. Army Chorus and Youth Choirs Nadhaswaram Oboe Symphony Blessings Invocation by Chandrika Tandon and choir Sounds of the Swiss Alps Folk Rhythms of the Andes America the Beautiful and Vande Mataram Anka Dje Anka Be: African Drums & Dance 1,000-Person Global Guitar Ensemble East Meets West Global Dance Fusion Arabian Nights: Middle East Dance Panchabootham: Indian Classical Dance and Symphony Soul of Japan: Traditional Dance and Music From Pershing’s Own, U.S. Army Blues Band Reggae Rhythms with Skip Marley
Colombian dancers in Folk Rhythms of the Andes
Soul of Japan: Traditional Dance and Music
A Native American performer in Turtle Island Welcomes the World
Odissi dancers ready to perform as part of the 700 dancer and 250 musicians in Panchabootham: Indian Classical Dance and Symphony
U.S. National Anthem performed by 260 high school students in the U.S. Army Chorus and Youth Choirs
Swiss alphorns in front of the Capitol
95 dancers and 55 drummers comprise the Anka Dje Anka Be: African Drums and Dance group
THE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP FORUM On Saturday, September 30, 2023, the Global Leadership Forum 2023 convened almost 1,000 global leaders around the theme of “Shaping a Humane Future”, with a focus on how individual transformation can unleash possibilities for business and society.
Key Highlights C-Suite leaders included Caroline Israel, CEO of Boston Consulting Group and Vivek Kundra, former CIO to President Obama.
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1,000+
80%+
600+
50%+
Leaders Convened
Attendees from Private Business Sector
Companies Represented
C-Suite leaders from small to large size companies
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Panels and Speakers Panel #1 Can Human Values Drive Organizational Success? Panelists: Raj Panjabi, Rathi Murthy, Emma Seppala, Prof. Robert Waldinger Moderated by Johann Berlin Panel #2 Artificial Intelligence: Navigating the Human Impact. Panelists: Tim Draper, Alonso Barber, and Mike Perlis Moderated by Deepa Menon Panel #3 Ethics in Sports Panelists: Christoph Daum, Inge Anderson, and Rachel Baribeau Moderated by Christoph Glaser
The Forum received high praise from attendees and many were inspired by Gurudev’s wisdom on transformational leadership.
YOGA: JOURNEY WITHIN On September 30, over 7,000 participants gathered at the Lincoln Memorial - the historic location of Dr. Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech - to journey within through yoga. The morning yoga was guided by Gurudev and over 1,200 yoga teachers representing more than 150 yoga schools.
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“Yoga is more than exercise. It is unity within our being.” - Gurudev, Yoga Festival
Thousands rest in shavasana after practicing yoga in front of the Lincoln Memorial
DAY 2 Following the high-energy dance of the DC local Go-Go dancers and the youth chorus performing “I Belong 2 U”, Festival attendees were welcomed on the second day by H.E. Prithvirajsing Roopun, President of Mauritius who remarked that “we all share common human values and virtues which by adopting them shall make our lives more meaningful, rewarding, and enjoyable.” Among the performances included a 5,000 person garba dance, a celebration of Chinese culture and an emotional Ukrainian folk dance. The Art of Living Foundation then presented its Human Values Awards to: •
Mourine Evans MSN, RN at Children’s National Hospital
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Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon Assistant Secretary, SAMHSA
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John Donnelly, Sr. Fire & Emergency Medical Services Chief, DC
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David C. Banks Chancellor, NYC Dept Ed
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Jacqueline Pogue-Lyons President, Washington Teachers Union
H.E. Prithvirajsing Roopun, President of Mauritius
Award Winner John Donnelly, Sr.
Award Winner Jacqueline Pogue Lyons
Award Winner Mourine Evans
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Day 2
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy remarked that “strengthening our connections with each other is the key to addressing the deeper despair and anxiety in our world. When we are together, we can navigate the most challenging of times, whatever crises may come. There are millions of us out there, including thousands who are gathered here today, who want such a world. We are not alone. We are part of an invisible movement of hope, of possibility, of human connection.”
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Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley
Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley gave an inspiring message of peace and harmony saying that “we are here today: all races, all creeds, all colors, all shapes, all faiths, all coming together to understand the power of harmony.” Adding that “we come to find personal inner freedom. Freedom to be who you are, freedom to be compassion, freedom to have courage and caring, freedom to trust your own feelings.” The Festival’s second day was closed out by a 1,000-member gospel choir, who brought the crowd to their feet with rousing renditions of gospel music.
Mrs. Akie Abe, the Former First Lady of Japan Charles S. Ramson, MP, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Sports, Guyana
Mrs. Akie Abe, the Former First Lady of Japan and widow of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, thanked Art of Living for “42 years of service to humanity by helping millions of people live happier and healthier lives through meditation techniques and wisdom. I too have experienced that meditation has given me immense strength when I needed it… I have heard Gurudev saying that joy is our very nature. That is very much evident here.”
“This movement of celebrating each other as one family, as one people - it requires our unwavering commitment. It requires our courage, our leadership. It must never stop. It must succeed…it requires the contribution of everyone, for everyone,” said Charles S. Ramson, MP, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Sports, Guyana
DAY 2 Speakers • • • • • • • • • • •
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H.E. Prithvirajsing Roopun, President of Mauritius Mr. Ramnath Kovind, Former President of India Dr. Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General Rev. Gerald L. Durley, Former Dean of Clark-Atlanta University Art of Living Human Values Awards Mrs. Rosalia Serrano, Former President of Ecuador Mrs. Akie Abe, Former First Lady of Japan Mr. Federico Franco, Former President of Paraguay Mr. Moncef Marzouki, Former President of Tunisia 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 Global Peace Meditation with Gurudev Representative Kevin Kiley (R-CA) Mr. Tim Draper, Founder, Draper Associates The Honorable Mr. Sergiu Prodan, Minister of Culture, Moldova The Honorable Mrs. Krishna Mathoera, Minister of Defense, Suriname
Garba for Unity: A Global Celebration joined by 10,000 dancers spread across the festival
Performances • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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Beats of Go-Go Music “I Belong 2 U” Youth Chorus Sounds of the Swiss Alps Garba for Unity: A Global Celebration Una Familia: WCF Official Theme Song Songs & Smiles: A Celebration of Chinese Culture Bhangra Dance Euphoria Heart of Ukraine: Folk Music & Dance 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 1,000 Voice Gospel Choir
Folk dancers and Sufi poets in Sounds of Pakistan: Music and Dance performing to energetic “Dhamaal” music
Dancer representing Bolivia in Flavors of Bolivia
Representatives of 100 countries dressed in their national attire accompanied the WCF Theme Song Una Familia
A 25-man dragon in Songs & Smiles: A Celebration of Chinese Culture
A young martial artist in Songs & Smiles: A Celebration of Chinese Culture
Wonderful Indonesia Dance Performance
DAY 3 The final day of the Festival was kicked-off by the Chenda Melam: Kerala Percussion Ensemble. The Caribbean Carnival Showcase then notably featured dancers in praying mantis and dragon costumes, with one performer on stilts. After performances spanning dances from Israel, Nepal, Eastern Europe, Argentina, Kashmir, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and South Korea, Kurtis Blow & six other American musical legends took to the stage, accompanied by 75 hip hop dancers, 2 DJs, and 15 graffiti artists to celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop.
Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa, Chief Religious and Spiritual Authority of Sikh Religion, Western Hemisphere said, “There are many religions, many faiths, many traditions, many cultures, many languages, but we forget that all life emanates from that One Creator. After all, we are one humanity. Our founder, Guru Nanak said, “No one is my enemy, no one is a stranger to me, I am at peace with everyone.”
Alex Boye
Alex Boye and the African All-Stars wowed the crowd with their rendition of “The Circle of Life.” The Festival and the gathering was then blessed by interfaith leaders representing the Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Zoroastrian, Mormon, and Baha’i faiths.
Nirj Deva, former Member of European Parliament
Nirj Deva, former Member of European Parliament also reiterated his gratitude for the gathering, saying, “Humankind wants to say thank you, thank you for what you do, are doing, and are continuing to do… you give us hope.” 16
Joining on the Jewish holy day of Sukkot, Rabbis Sharon Anisfeld and Rachel Gartner shared a prayer: “Let me not be afraid, let me never imagine that the light of another diminishes my own. Together let us extend our hands, together let us open our hearts…”
Imam Talib Shareef
Imam Talib Shareef, a Muslim faith leader, greeted the audience with “the greetings of peace” and thanked God “for blessing us with a wonderful extraordinary festive weekend of the various world cultural expressions of human life. - all cultivating and promoting unity, compassion, love, global peace, and global stability”
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Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Jo Leinen, a former member of the European Parliament.
Gurudev brought the crowd together to close the Festival with a guided meditation, accompanied by the Swiss alphorns, reminding everyone that “celebration helps us go inward and ponder, and be in the inner space of peace and tranquility” with gratefulness for our lives, the planet, and the diversity among us.
“Peace is possible, peace is possible everywhere in the world. Where there is a will, there is a way,” shared Jo Leinen, a former member of the European Parliament. Reverend Michael Beckwith
Juan Carlos Lozada Vargas, Member of House of Representatives in Colombia
Juan Carlos Lozada Vargas, Member of House of Representatives in Colombia invited the audience to “end the only controversy we have in the beautiful days of this World Culture Festival: where are you gonna do [the next Festival]? We hope you do it in Latin America, we hope you do it in Colombia”
Reverend Michael Beckwith shared a heartfelt prayer, saying that “we embrace [Gurudev] and his massive vision that he has for us - the vision of diversity, but not just diversity; the vision of inclusivity, but not just inclusivity but divine appreciation for each and every being on this planet that we may come to see the great potential that lies within all of us. The last couple of days have created a vibrational frequency that allows us to see something and to feel something that we can never unsee…He is reminding us that the true revolutionaries on this planet are those that are strong enough to love.”
DAY 3 Speakers • • •
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H.E. Kjell Magne Bondevik, Former Prime Minister of Norway The Honorable Sumitra Mahajan, Former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, India Sir Robert Buckland KBE KC MP, Former Lord Chancellor and Wales Secretary, United Kingdom The Honorable Hildebrando Tapia, Former Vice-President, The Andean Parliament The Honorable Nirj Deva, Former Member of the European Parliament from the UK The Honorable Juan Carlos Lozada Vargas, Member of House of Representatives, Colombia Dr. Siva Subramaniam - Introduction to Interfaith Prayers Veda Ghoshanam: Chants by Vedic Priests Rabbi Sharon Anisfeld, Hebrew National College Rabbi Rachel Gartner, Director for Jewish Life, Georgetown University Dr. Sousan Abadian, Zoroastrian Faith Representatives The Venerable Neliwewe Gunanda Thera, Buddhist Faith Representative Kamlesh Shah, Jain Faith Leader Dr. Lawrence Carter, First Dean of the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College Reverend Michael Beckwith, Founder and Director of Agape International Church Imam Talib Shareef, Qadir Abdus-Salaam, Muslim Faith Representatives Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa, Chief Religious and Spiritual Authority of Sikh Religion, Western Hemisphere Ms. Carrie Marriott, Faith Representative of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Baha’i Faith Representative: Nima Majzoubi Himanshu Gulati, Member of Parliament, Norway Meditation for Global Peace with Gurudev The Way Forward by Rajshree Patel Vote of Thanks by Jeff Houk Closing Remarks from Rob Trombold
The Caribbean Carnival Showcase
50 dancers in the Eastern European Celebration
Peace Chants: Shanti Mantras in Sanskrit led by Chandrika Tandon
Performances • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Kurtis Blow performs his hit “The Breaks” accompanied by 75 hip hop dancers
Mongolia Extravaganza
Shiv Tandav Chenda Melam: Kerala Percussion Living Traditions: Dances of Israel Caribbean Carnival Showcase Iranian Folk Dance Traditional Dances and Melodies of Nepal Eastern European Celebration Argentine Tangle Sizzle Kashmiri Rhapsody International Band Segment - Weston Estate Mongolian Extravaganza Drums & Dance from Sri Lanka: A Spectacular Showcase Folk Dances of Albania Traditional Korean Dance Celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop: Then & Now Soulful Melodies: Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Viva Mexico Music and Dance from Thailand Timeless Echoes: Artists from the World Forum for Arts and Culture “The Circle of Life” with Alex Boye & the African All-Stars
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