Universal Day of Culture

Embrace the beauty of a world that is diverse and varied, filled with unique art, music, foods, dances and so many other customs and practices!

Universal Day of Culture is here to celebrate the protection and preservation of culture and heritage through art and artifacts.

History of Universal Day of Culture

The Universal Day of Culture has a background that can be followed back nine decades to its founding in 1935.

The proposal came from Russian artist and author Nicholas Roerich, but the idea and practices soon spread throughout the world. The United States first got on board when it ratified the agreement for the day on April 15, 1935.

Also referred to as the World Day of Culture, the motivation behind the event was to actively promote the protection of universal and international culture through preserving artifacts, works of art, and more.

Part of the establishment of this day includes the Banner of Peace, which is a symbol that includes a red circle with three dots inside, set on a white background

In 2008, the International Movement for the Universal Day of Culture brought a revival to the purpose of preserving cultural heritage around the world.

Dozens of non-profit organizations from at least 14 countries, along with at least 25,000 individuals, have been involved in this movement. Lithuania, Brazil, Canada, Italy, and many other countries from around the globe continue to support this important day.

How to Celebrate Universal Day of Culture

Looking for ideas to enjoy Universal Day of Culture? Here are a few to begin with:

Enjoy a Cultural Experience

An excellent way to get involved in this event might be to spend some time learning about or experiencing the people, art, and artifacts from a culture that is not your own.

Head into a city that has a large population from another part of the world, with ethnic enclaves such as Chinatown in San Francisco, Little Italy in New York City, Little Ethiopia in Washington DC, Little Mogadishu in Minneapolis, and much more.

Enter as a learner and soak up some of the unique foods, music, art, and other sights or sounds that can be experienced in celebration of the Universal Day of Culture.

Celebrate Culture with Children

Parents, grandparents, teachers, and others with influence in the lives of children can broaden their horizons through lessons and activities that are inclusive to other cultures.

Universal Day of Culture offers a perfect opportunity to open conversations with children about the differences they see in people in the world, encouraging them to explore with curiosity and a welcoming disposition, rather than from a judgmental attitude.

Document Your Own Culture

Sometimes people aren’t aware of the uniqueness of their own cultures because it’s all they know. In honor of the Universal Day of Culture, it might be interesting to take on the role of a journalist or outsider.

Do some investigation, take some photographs, interview key players and more. Consider this project one that will help to protect your particular culture, and perhaps make it available online to promote the day.