Brought Together by the Art of Living Foundation, 70,000 People from Six Continents to Join at Berlin’s Historic Olympiastadion, July 2-3
In an era of widespread natural and manmade disaster and conflict, the world will have a chance to join in one of the largest peace festivals ever held — the World Culture Festival, July 2-3, 2011. U.S. Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Mike Quigley (D-IL), and Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL) join other members of the Festival’s reception committee, including former Netherlands Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers, Nobel Prize winning Economist Myron Scholes, members of the European Parliament and other governments, and other leading figures from around the world in support of this historic event. U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) are joining many more in support of this gathering that will share the world’s cultures, spirituality, and a message of harmony.
The site of this international festival is Berlin's recently remodeled Olympiastadion (Olympic stadium). It has had a long and sometimes notorious history, but rarely has it hosted something as unusual as the upcoming World Culture Festival, where 70,000 people from around the world will participate in a group meditation for world peace. In addition, 1,000 yoga teachers will guide various forms of yoga, and celebrate harmony in diversity with music, dance, food, wisdom, and symposiums with cultural, spiritual, and political leaders from around the world. U.S. representation will include Grammy-nominated Chandrika Tandon, among others.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, is an internationally recognized humanitarian and spiritual leader, and the inspiration for this grand peace event. He said, “The Festival offers a platform for people to get to know different cultures and celebrate together in a joyful manner. Our goal is to support intercultural dialogue and peace in a non-bureaucratic way.”
Describing Gurudev on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on June 14, Rep. Mike Quigley noted, “Gurudev Ravi Shankar is a renowned spiritual leader and multi-faceted humanitarian whose mission of uplifting human values and creating a stress-free, violence-free world has inspired millions of people around the world over the past 30 years. Gurudev's message of religious harmony, non-violence, equality, tolerance, and peace transcends class, race, religion, and nationality, and promotes ecumenical and universal human values.”
Michael Fischman, president of the U.S. Art of Living Foundation noted that “The Festival will foster international peace in a unique manner and will be a highlight for anyone who enjoys exploring other cultures, and the world’s wisdom. It will allow you to go around the world in 48 hours, and experience the richness the tastes of India, the folk songs of Mongolia, and much more.”
Four pavilions, one each for countries from Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific will display a variety of cultural offerings. Attendees from around the world will have the opportunity to learn about different cultures interactively, as well as experience food, music and dance performances by top international and cultural artists, and a variety of workshops and symposiums. One of the features of this festival is the active participation of the attendees in such live events as a 3,000-member German choir, an international 2,000-guitar ensemble, 30 pianos on one stage, a One World Family Dance, 500 African drums and more.
For tickets to the World Culture Festival, visit http://bit.ly/m7MOGY
About The Art of Living Foundation
Founded in 1981, the Art of Living Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational and humanitarian organization working in consultative status with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council on initiatives related to health, meditation, education, sustainable development, conflict resolution, and disaster relief. The Foundation has benefited more than 30 million people across 151 countries. For more information, visit https://www.artofliving.org/us-en and http://www.worldculturefestival.org.
Contacts
The Art of Living Foundation
Seema Kalra, 650-619-8523
Seema.kalra@artofliving.org