Each and every community has a culture that acts as its heart. It resides in the stories we share, the songs we listen to, the buildings and infrastructure, as well as the traditions adored worldwide. There comes a time every year where the world is reminded to appreciate this jewel, which is known as the Universal Day of Culture.
This is celebrated every year on April 15. The purpose of this day is to call for the protection of cultural heritage all around the globe. It reminds us to respect all cultures regardless of their origin.
Here is everything you need to know about what the Universal Day of Culture means, and why we celebrate it now more than ever.
🌍 What is the Universal Day of Culture?
The Universal Day of Culture was initiated as a part of the Roerich Pact. This treaty was signed way back in 1935, and its aims was the same as the name suggests, to protect culture.
Nicholas Roerich came up with this idea which is now enforced. In his opinion, culture helps aid peace between a nation’s population. He noticed that when people try to conserve art pieces, books, and ancient buildings, it promotes humanity.
This day serves as a reminder that we need to protect culture because culture is an invaluable element of human life.
📜 Why April 15?
Aside from being April 15’s date of celebration, it is also the birthday of the brilliant polymath Leonardo da Vinci. Decades after his ingenious creations in art, science and invention, his intellect still stands unrivaled making him a source of inspiration. Clearly this gives us all the more reason to appreciate culture in all its forms.
Out of all 15 April global days, the Universal Day of Culture is seen as one of the most important. It encourages us as a society to appreciate the importance of cultural roots and to learn to give equal value to each and every community.
🏛️ Why is Culture So Important?
The true meaning of culture encompasses more than something like art or music, such as an individual’s lifestyle. Every single culture carries the values of how people live, love, learn. This broadens to dialects, cuisines and even prisims through which important events are commemorated, each culture tells a different tale.
This is the wisest way I could think of some culture preservation being important:
- Culture connects: Culture enables individuals to respect and try understanding each other for once.
- Culture grooms: Help in mentoring and sharing relevant experience to younger individuals in the years to come.
- Culture inspires: Individuals gain an feeling of their identity thus allowing them to experience pride as well as the motivation to pursue their passions.
- Culture heals: Offering an feeling of comfort during difficult and challenging times.
The world as we know it, would know nothing of significance, memory or colours without their culture and traditions.
This is the primary reason we need to observe as well as understand the reasons why Universal Day of Culture is relevant in our day to day lives.
🎉 How Do People Celebrate the Universal Day of Culture?
The day is celebrated in diverse and artistic ways around the world. There are numerous ways to take part in the Universal Day of Culture:
🖼️ Museums and Cultural Centers
Many museums have free tours, public lectures, and workshops. They exhibit artworks and tools and items from different times and places.
🧑🏫 Schools and Universities
Teachers conduct specialized lessons concerning world cultures. All students are involved by making posters, handworks, or even plays that represent their culture.
🕊️ Peace Marches and Cultural Events
They organize concert or poetry reading event and even cultural parade in most of the large cities. These activities not only unify the people, but also celebrate cultural plurality.
📱 Online Awareness
People relate and upload their pictures and videos showing their culture on social apps. They utilize tags such as #UniversalDayOfCulture so that many people are made aware globally. All these activities although very minimal, play a huge role when combined.
🌐 The Role of the Banner of Peace
The banner peace is one of the powerful symbol associated with this day. It represented the art, scientific and religious culture of human, which is in terrible shape. The banner shows three red circles within a bigger circle which stand for the three domains.
You’ll find this banner at all Universal Day of Culture celebrations. It serves as a reminder to help protect culture in every form.
🧭 What Can You Do To Support This Day?
There is no need to participate in large events to celebrate. Honor the Universal Day of Culture through small acts that have a large impact:
- Discover new aspects related to other cultures.
- Go to local museums or historical places.
- Tell your cultural tales to your friends or share them online.
- Read a novel or view a movie based on another culture.
- Purchase the works of artists and craftsmen from diverse cultures.
💬 Final Thoughts: One World, Many Cultures
Remember a phrase; the world has so many cultures but only one world. On this note: Universal Day of Culture serves as our gentle reminder of appreciating our differences. While, at the same time, acknowledge that we truly live in one planet.
Culture is more than just the past. It’s also a necessary thing to preserve peace, identity, and unity, and culture forms the foundation of our future.
So, on April 15, take a moment to cherish your roots and support people valuing their cultural backgrounds.
Because every culture matters. Every story counts. In unison, we transform our world into a better place.
