The World Culture Festival will demonstrate the power of peace by bringing together 3.5 million people from around the world.
The 3-day mega cultural event (March 11-13, 2016) celebrates Art of Living’s 35 years of service to humanity, spirituality and human values.
Global cultures, music and the arts to share a common platform on world’s largest stage set-up over an area of 7 acres.
The Art of Living today officially announced the details of the upcoming World Culture Festival 2016. Spreading the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – One World Family, the World Culture Festival 2016 is a celebration of The Art of Living’s 35 years of service to humanity, spirituality and human values to over 370 million people across 155 countries. The festival emphasizes co-existence and celebrates diversity by bringing together the power of 3.5 million people on a common platform.
To be held from March 11-13 in New Delhi, the venue for the festival will cover an area of 1000 acres and will witness the world’s largest stage set-up spread over an area of 7 acres. Over 25,000 artists are expected to perform at the festival which includes 8,000 musicians playing 40 instruments in a Musical Symphony, 650 drummers from South Africa and several tribal artists from Indian states such as Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Sikkim and others.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder, The Art of Living, said, “With the World Culture Festival, we hope to foster deeper understanding between people of different faiths, nationalities and backgrounds. By showcasing rich cultural traditions of dance, music and art from around the world as well as Yoga, this festival will be a unique platform for spiritual and religious gurus, politicians, peacemakers and artists to spread the message of global peace and harmony in diversity”.
Chairman of the World Culture Organizing Committee and VVKI trust, Commodore Sarvotham Rao, said, “The World Culture Festival will be a one-of-its-kind experience which will have a majestic gathering of 3.5 million people where everyone will unite as one big family. The festival aims to bring to the forefront age-old values and traditions that are today, fast disappearing. The ancient heritage of Yoga and Ayurveda will play a central role in the festival through performances, information booths and join in sessions”.
A very special highlight of the festival will be a ‘Peace meditation’ led by Gurudev which will be held on all three days of the festival, for the millions in attendance.
- World’s largest peace meditation – This will be the first time in the world that 3.5 million people will meditate for world peace on all three days at one physical location. Millions will also participate virtually
- 35973 people will perform at the festival in 3 days
- In the Grand Musical Symphony, 40 instruments will be played together
- The Global Leadership Forum, co-hosted by the World Forum of Ethics in Business and The Art of Living in New Delhi on the 12th and 13th March 2016 will bring together senior leaders from business, government, politics, science, NGOs, faith-based organizations, sports, academia and media to reflect on the paradigms of leadership needed to maneuver the world of today
- World’s largest stage – WCF will witness the world’s largest stage set up over an area of 7 acres. This will be an attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for the ‘Largest temporary stage’ in the world
- Size of the venue – The total area of the venue would cover 1000 acres
- Over 1000 people are working on stage and venue development.
- More than 20,000 international guests are expected. Sizable contingents from South America, Mongolia, Russia, U.S., Europe, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, and Pakistan among others.
- Revival of tribal art forms-WCF will revive some of the tribal art forms from India from states such as Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Sikkim among others
- For Bharatnatyam, 3 Padma awardees are training the participants
- 650 drummers will arrive from South Africa
- Birju Maharaj is choreographing the Kathak performance for the festival