Civic and religious leaders from all over the United States will attend the World Culture Festival in Washington, DC. The festival will take place from September 29th to October 1st, 2023. Many have sent their congratulations and best wishes to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Living Foundation.
Read some of their inspiring messages below.
Susie Lee, Congresswoman from Nevada’s 3rd District in Las Vegas, NV
Hi there, I’m Congresswoman Susie Lee, and I’m so proud to welcome the World Culture Festival to the United States this year. I represent one of the most diverse communities in the country, and I know how important it is to always be learning, sharing, and understanding the types of unique circumstances each and every community brings to our great nation. It makes us much better people, and it makes the world a much better and safer place.
So thank you to everyone for making this event happen, and I wish you a wonderful three days.
Rev. Richard Burdick, Unity North Atlanta Church in Marietta, GA
Our spiritual community is so proud to join the Art of Living and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in support of the World Culture Festival. What an amazing and much-needed event this is! We at Unity North are honored to unite with our friends around the world who are working to build and promote a consciousness or oneness, belonging, and cooperation.
We’re also bridge builders, and we join you in heart, mind, and spirit, recognizing the unity of people of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds. Now, more than ever, these efforts are exactly what the world needs. Unity North is blessed to join hands, hearts, intentions, and prayers to remember we belong to each other, all of us.
We’re sending all of our love and gratitude to the World Culture Festival in our united desire to remember our oneness as a force for good and healing. Blessings to all of you who have dedicated your lives to the vision of unity and peace. Namaste.
Jeff McKay, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in Fairfax, VA
Today, I have some exciting news to share. Mark your calendars for September 29- October 1. Washington, D.C., will be hosting the 4th World Culture Festival on the historic National Mall. WCF will be an Olympic-scale celebration of global culture, honoring our diversity and creating a worldwide circle of belonging.
With expected participation from over 180 countries, including heads of state, humanitarian and spiritual leaders, artists, and changemakers, WCF 2023 will truly allow Washington, D.C., and the surrounding communities an opportunity to welcome the world.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity to be part of the celebration and movement.to unite our world, all hosted right here in our nation’s capital. Come out and celebrate our rich cultural diversity at the World Culture Festival 2023!
Raja Krishnamoorthi, Congressman from Illinois’ 8th District in Greater Chicago, IL
Hi everybody. I want to encourage all of you to participate in the 4th World Culture Festival in Washington, D.C., from September 29- October 1 on the National Mall. This is going to be spearheaded by the Art of Living Foundation and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and others, and it will be a global showcase featuring people from over 180 countries, including many humanitarian leaders, leaders of not-for-profits, heads of state, and others.
I’m looking forward to being a part of it and seeing everybody there. It will be something that will celebrate our diversity. As you know, diversity is our strength, and unity is our power. We’re going to be unified in celebrating our diversity, our culture, our heritage, and our roots. So this world festival will be an amazing opportunity to do so. Again, mark your calendars for September 29- October 1 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. I look forward to seeing you then!
Jason Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia
I want to thank everybody for attending the World Culture Festival in Washington, D.C., and I can think of few places better to host this amazing event than right here in our nation’s capital. It’s the honor of my life to be right across the Potomac River, representing Virginia, as the first child of an immigrant ever elected as Attorney General. So, I’d love to say that if your family came to this country seeking hope and opportunity, there’s a good chance your family is like my family.
It’s been the honor of my life to be your Attorney General. This festival really represents the very best of America because, in America, it doesn’t matter where you came from. It matters where you’re going. We never define what it means to be an American by how you look or how you worship.
It’s an honor to be here as part of this last best hope on earth, representing the very best of what our country is. So many people can come from all over the world and be part of this amazing country, what I call the American miracle. Have a great festival, and God bless you!
Don Beyer, Congressman from Virginia’s 8th District in Arlington, VA
Welcome to the Capitol region. I represent the parts of Virginia right across the river from the National Mall. I’m so pleased that our area is hosting the World Culture Festival. I know it will be an incredible cultural event featuring talent, ideas, and traditions from all over the globe. I commend you all for your commitment to renew, enjoy, and connect with millions of people who long for more unity rather than division.
The National Mall has been home to so many historic events over the years in American history, and now as part of the World Culture Festival in a time of widening divisions in our country and around the world. The festival should and will be an uplifting experience for all people of all religions, all faiths, all countries of origin.
Again, I want to thank you for your commitment to reducing division and for your understanding that it’s culture that unites us and culture that can divide us. It’s our artists, craftsmen, musicians, and poets who give us our greatest sense of what it means to be human. Thank you for understanding that humanity is, in fact, global and will all be represented on the National Mall at this time.
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For more information, visit:
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
The Art of Living Foundation
The World Culture Festival 2023
