‘Olympic-Level’ World Culture Festival Coming to DC

They say it will be as big as an inauguration — and bring people from so many countries that it might feel a bit like the Olympics.

The World Culture Festival is coming to Washington, D.C. this fall for a historic three-day celebration honoring humanity’s culture, diversity, and unity taking place on the National Mall from September 29 through October 1, 2023.

Hosted by the Art of Living Foundation, the  World Culture Festival in Washington, D.C. is an “epic celebration of global diversity, unity and peace” that is expected to draw participation from over 180 countries, with a lineup of prominent international world leaders 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; and H.E. Federico Franco, Former President of Paraguay.

According to organizers, as many as 200,000 visitors from all over the globe are anticipated to travel to the U.S. capital to be a part of the World Culture Festival. Past festivals have included Bangalore (2006) which attracted 2.5 million attendees; Berlin (2011) with 70,000 attendees; and New Delhi (2016), with 3.75 million attendees from 155 countries.

“Washington, DC 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,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said at an event introducing the Festival.

Thousands of unique performers and artists will take part in the jam-packed entertainment lineup. Festival attendees will enjoy a variety of cultural foods. And a global Faith Advisory council will be convened, composed of leaders from faiths of the world, to share messages about common values of peace, harmony, and partnership.

“In a world which is so polarized, divided, and despondent, it is time for us to come together in celebration, where we appreciate the rich diversity on this planet,” said Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation.

“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.”

Registration and ticket information for the fall festival in Washington, D.C. can be found here.