English Language Day 2025; April 23rd.

FORUM: “Promote the use of English.” English language Day 2025; William Shakespeare played a major role in the transformation of the English language. Many words and phrases were first written down in his plays. 'Elbow room' (King John), 'heart of gold' (Henry V), 'tower of strength' (Richard III) and 'Wild-goose chase' (Romeo and Juliet) - just a handful of the many well-known English phrases that we've learnt from Shakespeare and use in our day to day lives more than 400 years later. Follow the conversation with the hashtags, #EnglishLanguageDay; #23April; #WilliamShakespeare.

EVENTS: At UNHQ in New York, Celebration of the 461st Anniversary of William Shakespearse. Because the United Nations has only six official languages, many delegates must speak in a language other than their main language, and this poses a special challenge. The history of the UN’s official languages, presented by the Dag Hammarskjöld Library, gives the history of when each of the six official languages of the United Nations became official, beginning in 1946. On tuesday April 23rd; The English language Day 2025 event will be co-hosted by the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Security Council, The Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the U.N.; The Permanent Mission of Canada to the U.N.; The Permanent Mission of United States to the U.N.; The Permanent Mission of Australia to the U.N.; The Permanent Mission of New Zealand to the U.N.;The Permanent Mission of Ghana to the U.N.; The Permanent Mission of Liberia to the U.N.; The Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the U.N.; The Permanent Mission of South Africa to the U.N.; The Permanent Mission of Angola to the U.N.; The Permanent Mission of Malawi to the U.N., The Permanent Mission of Zimbabwe to the U.N.; The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the U.N; The Department of Public Information, the United Nations Department of General Assembly Conferences and Meetings (UNDGACM); The United Nations Interpreters, the United Nations Multimedia, the United Nations Radio wIth the participation of the Member states, Specialized agencies, translators and academics.

 

At UNESCO HQ, The UK Délégation will organize a Meeting with Member States and Institutions for the Celebration of the English Language Day 2025. Register to participate!

On saturday April 20th, The Shakespeare Birthday Luncheon will be held. Pragnell is delighted to announce that the Shakespeare Birthday Lunch and presentation of the Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award will take place on Saturday April 20th, 2025 as part of the annual Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare. Hosted by actor and presenter Alexander Armstrong, attendees will enjoy a three-course lunch with wine pairing and the event will feature performances from the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award, which will be given at the lunch, celebrates individuals who have significantly furthered society’s understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Bard’s work. The illustrious roster of winners includes Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Kenneth Branagh. Pragnell is pleased to reveal that this year’s winner of the Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award is globally renowned actor Dame Vanessa Redgrave DBE. Book ticket!

CONCERT: The United Nations Singers are a recreational choir formed in 1947 under the UN Staff Recreation Council to spread the message of harmony and understanding through music. As a microcosm of the world, the group is composed largely of present and former staff of the UN and its agencies and permanent missions. An exploration of how the timeless works of Shakespeare, in reflecting the human experience, can resonate with the core values of the United Nations, such as promoting understanding of humanity and strengthening global connections. The UN Movie Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council will present the 2nd Annual “Shakespeare at the UN”– an exploration of how the timeless works of Shakespeare, in reflecting the human experience, can resonate with the core values of the UN, such as promoting understanding of humanity and strengthening global connections. Shakespeare’s literature is more than mere words on a page. It is a mirror held up to the values and aspirations of our shared humanity, echoing the very essence of the United Nations. It resonates across languages and cultures. Shakespeare can connect us all: therefore, the excerpts will be performed through a multilingual and multicultural lens - featuring performances in some of the UN's official languages (including Mandarin Chinese). The programme will include monologues about peace and war. It will also delve into the UN theme of climate action, and showcase O ruined piece of nature – penned by Michelle Terry, the Artistic Director of The Globe, featuring artists including Stephen Fry, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Helen Schlesinger, Shubham Saraf, Paul Ready, Rosalie Craig, Hadley Fraser, Philip Cumbus, and Tanika Yearwood. London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama will present monologues focused on sustainable development and the spirit – and how they affect the world. The program delves further into the UN's work through Shakespeare, showcasing themes including human rights. We will be treated to a special contribution from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Opening remarks will be delivered by H.E. Dame Barbara Woodward, DCMG, OBE, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations. On this occasion, messages will be delivered Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE, Principal and CEO of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, Co-Artistic Directors of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Michelle Terry, Artistic Director of Shakespeare's Globe, and Michael Dobson, Director of the Shakespeare Institute. English Language Day at the UN is celebrated annually April 23rd, the date traditionally observed as both the birthday and date of death of William Shakespeare. As well as being the most famous playwright, who wrote in English, Shakespeare also had a huge impact on modern-day English. Today, every one in four people in the world uses English. At the United Nations, English is one of the six official languages of the Organization. As we embark on an extraordinary journey into the heart of Shakespeare’s timeless wisdom, the performances in “Shakespeare at the UN” aims to spark reflection, healing, and a renewed commitment to the noble ideals that bind us together as nations under the banner of the United Nations. Founded at the United Nations Headquarters, the UN Movie Society is committed to championing the goals and values of the United Nations through the universal language of motion pictures. Watch Shakespeare at the UN – In Celebration of English Language Day 2025.