The World Culture Festival is a major event hosted by the Art of Living Foundation a global non-profit organization was founded by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The festival is known for bringing together people from around the world, regardless of their nationality, religion, or ethnicity. It serves as a platform for cultural exchange and understanding, while bringing together people from different walks of life to share, learn, and grow together in the spirit of unity and harmony.
This year (2023), the Art of Living Foundation hosted their fourth World Culture Festival in Washington, DC. Touted as “three days of deep meditation, music, dance, and inspirational talks”, the festival stretched from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument. Unfolding on the National Mall, the event was free to attend and saw nearly a million people in attendance! Those in attendance were delighted by music and dancing from over 17,000 artists from around the globe. There was also a collective of several dozen mobile eateries boasting international cuisine and the positive energy was palatable.
Scheduled Programming
Each day of the World Culture Festival featured over three hours of live performances. Attendees experienced the richness of colourful cultural performances, including music, dance, art, and theater. The acts included a wide range of artists and performers from various countries, showcasing their talents, including:
- U.S. Army Chorus
- Native American Dance, Drums, and Land Acknowledgement
- Nadhaswaram Oboe Symphony
- 10,000 Garba Dancers for Unity
- Sounds of the Swiss Alps
- and so many more!
Formal seating at the DC event was reserved for who registered online, with priority seating offered to donors. However, the green space of the National Mall was available for general seating, with several large screens displaying the performances to all who attended.
Festival Village
Dozens of white tents lined the outer paths of the National Mall, making up the Festival Village. Each of the tents featured workshops rooted in spiritual and meditative practices. Various sessions throughout the event gave participants the opportunity to learn about and engage in healthful, purposeful and stress-free living practices. These seminars included mindful meditation practices, breathing exercises and ayurvedic lifestyle teachings.
The sides of the National Mall were lined with food trucks featuring food from various ethnicities. Cuisine types such as Thai, Haitian, Japanese, Egyptian, Lebanese, Chinese and American. Additionally, the village includes a World Café where you can purchase vegan food and drink options. I recommend the Samosa Chaat and Nimbu Pani!
Yoga with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
This part of the World Culture Festival is unlike any other and my favourite part of the weekend. This outdoor class with thousands of people is a unique experience that combines the serenity of yoga with the energy of a massive gathering. The foot of the Lincoln Memorial was covered in yogis on mats that spilled out onto the greens and along either side of the Reflecting Pool. People of all ages and levels of experience gathered on yoga mats of every shape, size and colour.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar sat on a raised platform, his voice projected through a powerful sound system as he guided everyone through the practice, offering gentle reminders to breathe deeply and stay present.
The synchronized movements of thousands of people practicing yoga together was awe-inspiring. The ebb and flow of bodies in various yoga poses create a mesmerizing and harmonious dance. This was not just a physical practice but a spiritual and communal journey that leaves you with a sense of unity, positivity, and renewed energy to carry into your daily life.
Is the World Culture Festival worth attending?
Absolutely! The World Culture Festival is a unique and powerful event that celebrates cultural diversity, promotes peace, and encourages a sense of global community. After spending three days at the World Culture Festival, the key focuses of the global gathering were clear:
- Environmental Consciousness: The festival places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and consciousness. Efforts to minimize the ecological impact of the event, such as reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices, are in place.
- Humanitarian Initiatives: The festival serves as a platform to raise awareness and support for the initiatives that the Art of Living Foundation supports.
- Interfaith Dialogue: In a world where religious and cultural differences sometimes lead to conflict, the festival promotes interfaith dialogue and understanding, emphasizing the common human values that unite us all.
- Inspiration and Motivation: Attendees often leave the festival feeling inspired and motivated to make positive changes in their own lives and communities. The festival serves as a catalyst for personal and collective growth.
You can watch a recap of the 2023 World Culture Festival here.
Would you attend the World Culture Festival hosted by the Art of Living Foundation?
