World Book and Copyright Day 2026, April 23rd.

FORUM: "The power of books." World Book and Copyright Day 2026. The Activities will include readings of books and plays; the distribution of bookmarks; the announcement of the winners of literary competitions. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #reading, #WorldBookDay, #CopyrightDay, #WorldBookCapitalCity #23april, #WorldBookandCopyrightDay.

EVENTS: April 23rd marks World Book and Copyright Day 2026. For Africa, the occasion highlights the journey of its literature, the struggles of its authors, and the continent's growing contribution to global storytelling.During the day, we will explore the status of books in Africa in a digital era that has largely re-written information consumption. We also share a selection of African books worth reading. Watch the documentary entitled'' Turning pages in a digital age.''

Every year, as part of celebrations for World Book and Copyright Day, a World Book Capital is selected by UNESCO and international organizations representing the major sectors of the book industry – publishers, booksellers and libraries. Selected cities promote books and reading for all age groups and across all of society, in the host country and beyond. To date, UNESCO has designated 26 World Book Capitals, from Madrid, Spain, in 2001, to Rabat, Morocco, in 2026.

In a recent statement, UNESCO highlighted Rabat's commitment to fostering the book industry and encouraging reading through its 54 publishing houses; it also hosts Africa's third-largest international book fair. Rabat aims to come up with various initiatives to improve access to books, bolster the local publishing sector, and advance literacy among all age groups and demographics, both nationally and internationally.

The statement added that the celebrations are set to commence on April 23, 2026, coinciding with the World Book and Copyright Day.  As Rabat Opens Book Capital Year, Minister Says Books Shape Society Morocco’s Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation said the launch of the new Rabat book fair edition comes at a defining cultural moment, as the capital begins its year as UNESCO’s “World Book Capital 2026.”.

“The book is the basis, the source and the starting point of science and knowledge,” the minister told Morocco World News (MWN), arguing that books shape students’ scientific, critical, and analytical thinking while also supporting “psychological balance, intellectual balance and social balance.”
He said Rabat fully deserves the international recognition, describing the Moroccan capital as one of the most beautiful capitals in the world and stressing that the title should serve as more than a symbolic distinction.
The minister also said promoting books cannot remain the job of schools alone. He called on families, universities, civil society groups, and Moroccans at large to help build a stronger culture of reading and writing from an early age, saying that preserving Morocco’s identity and civilization depends on giving books the place they deserve.

Throughout the year, the city will host a wide range of cultural programs, public readings, and community-driven initiatives aimed at making literature more accessible to all.

Statement of the Director of the UNESCO Office in the Caribbean on World Book and Copyright Day 2026, April 23rd.

World Book and Copyright Day invites us to return to something both simple and essential. The role of books in how we think, learn, and imagine the world. Even as our daily lives become increasingly digital, books remain a unique space of depth and continuity. They slow us down in a useful way. They allow ideas to unfold over time rather than in fragments. Whether in print or digital form, they remain one of the most powerful tools for education, cultural memory, and critical reflection. The digital age has of course transformed how we access knowledge. Information is now immediate, abundant, and global. This brings enormous opportunities. More voices can be published, more readers can be reached, and knowledge can circulate more freely than ever before. But it also brings challenges. Attention is more fragmented. Information can be more volatile. And not all content carries the same level of verification or depth.
In this context, books continue to offer a reference point, a space where ideas are structured, curated, and often more carefully developed. Rather than seeing books and digital media as opposites, it is perhaps more useful to see them as complimentary. Digital platforms can expand access to reading, especially in places where physical books are less available. At the same time, the book form, whether printed or electronic,still provides a discipline of thought that remains vital in an age of rapid consumption. This is why initiatives such as the world book capital are so meaningful.
Each year, UNESCO designates a city for its commitment to books and reading and for its efforts to strengthen the entire ecosystem that supports them from authors and publishers to libraries and readers.
This year, the world book capital is Rabbat in Morocco. It is a city with a rich intellectual tradition and a vibrant cultural life and its designation reflects a broader commitment to literacy, creativity, and dialogue.

In celebrating World Book and Copyright Day, we are not only celebrating books as objects. We are celebrating the ecosystems they sustain and the ways in which they continue to anchor reflection, imagination, and shared understanding even in a deeply digital world.

Director of the UNESCO Office in the Caribbean.

At UNOV; To celebrate the World Book and Copyright Day 2026, the IAEA, UNOV, and CTBTO will jointly host a variety of in-person and virtual events on April 23rd. See below for the agenda or to register to attend. We look forward to your participation! 

23 April 2026 --- 09:30 – 10:30 Tour IAEA Archives IAEA Meeting Point A04 Elevators.
10:30 – 11:00 Presentation From metadata to full text: how INIS delivers nuclear knowledge worldwide Ms Olga Vakula (IAEA) F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library & Online

11:15 – 12:00 Daughters’ day event.
Chinese calligraphy workshop (only for registered daughters) IAEA F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library
11:30 – 14:00 Event Meet and Greet IAEA Publishing Section and Archives, UNOV, CTBTO libraries IAEA, CTBTO, UNOV A Building ground floor & Cafeteria
12:00 – 13:00 Event Library Tour & Meet and Greet the Library and INIS Teams IAEA F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library
14:00 – 14:30 Opening Remarks  IAEA DDG-NE and DDG-MT
UNESCO Representative Ms Klara Koštal, Head of Department: Diversity of Cultural Expressions  F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library
14:30 – 15:15 Talk Future Needs Wisdom: a personal view on the future of research under the spell of AI Prof. Helga Nowotny F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library
15:15 – 15:45 Closing World Book and Copyright Day Remarks followed by light refreshments IAEA F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library

Schedule of World Book and Copyright Week 2026; Tuesday April 23rd.

09:30 – 10:30 (Meeting Point A04 Elevators)
Tour - IAEA Archives.

Tour - IAEA Archives The IAEA Archives are a pillar of the IAEA’s institutional memory, spanning over 70 years and comprising over 10,000 shelf metres of hard-copy records and 10 terabytes of data. These walking tours are an opportunity to look behind the scenes to:

Experience the size and composition of the IAEA Archives;
Interact with some of the treasures in our holdings and be inspired by the Agency's history;
View the Reading Room and an archival repository, and learn about challenges in preservation and access management; and Hear how the Department of Management oversees the IAEA Archives.

The tour can accommodate 15 participants. Meeting point : A04 Elevators. Click here to register

10:30 – 11:00 (F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library & Online)
From metadata to full text: how INIS delivers nuclear knowledge worldwide
Olga Vakula – INIS

How do you access hard-to-find nuclear research from around the world? Discover how INIS connects users to nuclear knowledge, providing extensive metadata and helping locate full texts through international collaboration with Member States and partner libraries. Click here to register.

12:00 – 13:00 (F0146 - IAEA Lise Meitner Library)
Tour and Meet & Greet

Come along for a tour of the IAEA Lise Meitner Library and discover the space, the history and facts that might surprise you. The reading rooms and library are open to anyone in the VIC, join the tour to discover your next favourite place in the building!

The tour can accommodate 15 participants. Click here to register (for the tour only)

11:30 – 14:00 (A Building, Cafeteria)
Meet & Greet Information Professionals from IAEA & UNOV & CTBTO.

Get to know your librarians from the VBOs in the cafeteria and publishers from the IAEA on the ground floor of the A building. In addition to providing information on our services, there will also be an opportunity to view a few special items from our collections.

14:00 – 14:30 (F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library)
Welcome Remarks.

World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated every year on April 23rd. Come hear about the meaning of this day for VBO libraries, archives, and publishing units. We will be joined by IAEA DDG-NE, M. M. Chudakov and DDG-MT, M. Doane and UNESCO representative Ms Klara Koštal, Head of Department: Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

14:30 – 15:15 (F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library)
Talk: Future Needs Wisdom: a personal view on the future of research under the spell of AI.
Prof. Helga Nowotny will share her thoughts and insights on Artificial Intelligence, followed by a thought-provoking discussion on Women in STEM. A discussion moderated by Brain Bales (IAEA INIS) and Anastasia Lazykina, (IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme). Click here to register

15:15 – 15:45 (F0146 – IAEA Lise Meitner Library)
Closing - World Book & Copyright Day.

After the talk with Prof. Helga Nowotny, there will be a small reception to celebrate and close the World Book and Copyright Day festivities. Please join us for some light refreshments.

For more information please contact us!, Click here to play the wordle of the day! and See the World Book Day EUREST menu on April 23rd 2026 here!

English Language Day 2026; April 23rd.

FORUM: 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. The English Language Day at the UN is celebrated annually on 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 by Brenda Vongova, the UN Movie Society is committed to championing the goals and values of the United Nations through the universal language of motion pictures. Follow the conversation with the hashtags, #EnglishLanguageDay; #23April; #WilliamShakespeare.

EVENT: On April 23rd, 2026, in commemoration of the English Language Day 2026 at the United Nations, the UN Movie Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council will present the 3rd 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. On this occasion, opening remarks will be delivered by H.E. Mr. Archie Young CMG, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations & Ambassador to the UN General Assembly. The programme brings together the UN’s core pillars — including Human Rights and Peace & Security — illuminated through carefully chosen Shakespeare works. Under Human Rights, Shakespeare’s Globe — led by its Artistic Director Michelle Terry — presents Shylock’s landmark speech from The Merchant of Venice (Act III, Scene 1), a profound meditation on human dignity and the universal demand to be seen as fully human — performed by the late Adrian Schiller, one of Britain's most distinguished classical stage actors. Under Peace and Security, performers from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama — led by its Principal and CEO, Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE - bring monologues from Henry V (Chinese), Titus Andronicus (French), Macbeth (English), and Richard II (Spanish and Sign Language), reflecting on conflict, leadership, and the cost of war. We will also present performances delivered by Japanese actors Yamato Kochi and Maimi, Ukrainian actor Petro Ninovskyi, and the brilliant Richard Keith, the BA in Acting Course Leader at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). The programme will also feature reflections by Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, Co-Artistic Directors of the Royal Shakespeare Company, with closing remarks by Professor Michael Dobson, Director of The Shakespeare Institute.

 

LIVESTREAM: English Language Day 2026 is celebrated on April 23rd, honoring the legacy of William Shakespeare on his birth/death anniversary. The UN celebrates with "Shakespeare at the UN" (9:00 a.m. EST, UN Web TV), focusing on the language's role in global connection, culture, and diplomacy. The day highlights English as one of the six UN official languages.

Watch The UN Movie Society Shakespeare at the UN - Celebrating the United Nations English Language Day. 

 PROGRAMME

• Brenda Vongova, President of the UN Movie Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
• H.E. Mr. Archie Young CMG, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations & Ambassador to the UN General Assembly
• Remarks by Tamara Harvey & Daniel Evans; Co-Artistic Directors of the Royal Shakespeare Company
• Remarks by Michelle Terry;  Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe

The Merchant of Venice, (Act III, Scene 1) - Shylock’s “Hath not a Jew eyes?...” speech, by William Shakespeare ~ Performed by Adrian Schiller.
Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE; Principal and CEO of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London

Henry V, Act I, Scene 1 ("The courses of his youth promised it not…”), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Qipeng Wang (in Chinese)

Titus Andronicus, Act I, Scene 1 ("Stay, Roman brethren! Gracious conqueror…”), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Solenn Mara-Lewis (in French)

Macbeth, Act I, Scene 5 ("The raven himself is hoarse…”), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Nina Fog

Richard II, Act III, Scene 2 ("For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground…”), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Juan José Galeano Pareja (in Spanish Spoken & Sign Language)


Sonnet 29 - "When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes", by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Brenda Vongova

Romeo & Juliet Act 1, Scene 1, Prince Escalus’s (“Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace…”), Excerpt, by William Shakespeare
~Performed by Richard Keith


Henry VI, Part 3 (Act II, Scene 5), “This battle fares like to the morning's war…”, by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Yamato Kochi (in Japanese)


Romeo and Juliet, Act III, Scene 3, (“Heaven is here, where Juliet lives…”), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Maimi (in Japanese)

Henry VI, Part 1 (Act IV, Scene 1) – "Come hither, you that would be combatants…”, by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Petro Ninovskyi

Professor Michael Dobson; Director of The Shakespeare Institute


SPECIAL THANKS

UN Department of Global Communications
Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations

Shakespeare Globe

• Michelle Terry, Artistic Director

Royal Shakespeare Company

• Tamara Harvey, Co-Artistic Director
• Daniel Evans, Co-Artistic Director

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

• Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE, Principal and CEO
• Ricky Zalman, Alumni Engagement Officer
• Nadia Fulgoni, Head of Marketing & Communications
• Hala Kabalan, Marketing & Communications Officer

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)

• Richard Keith, BA in Acting Course Leader

Shakespeare Institute

• Professor Michael Dobson, Director of The Shakespeare Institute

Artwork in the Poster: Illustration of William Shakespeare reciting his play Hamlet to his family. His wife, Anne Hathaway, is sitting in the chair on the right; his son Hamnet is behind him on the left; his two daughters Susanna and Judith are on the right and left of him. By Perine, George Edward, 1837-1885, printmaker - engraved for the Eclectic by Perine & Giles.

Opening and Closing Music:
UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director
ELFRIDA ANDREE (1841 - 1929) Piano Quartet in A Minor: I. Allegro molto moderato
Hana Mundiya (Violin), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), Derek Louie (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
Zefu Chenk: Video Editor, UN Movie Society

Spanish Language Day 2026; April 23rd.

FORUM: The date of April 23rd, commemorates the anniversary of the death of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1616), one of the most influential figures in Spanish literature and author of Don Quixote, a foundational work of modern literature. The date is also symbolically significant as it coincides with the death of William Shakespeare, which is why the United Nations observes both Spanish Language Day and English Language Day on the same date. Spanish Language Day was formally established in 2010 as part of the UN initiative to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity across the organization. Sigue las conversaciones con los hashtags: #idomaespañol, #23deAbril, #DíadelIdomaEspañol ,#Latinoamérica.

EVENTS: At the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON), the Celebration of the 2026 UN Spanish Language Day will promote multilingualism and cultural diversity within the United Nations. The United Nations in Kenya invites participants to celebrate the UN Spanish Language Day. To learn more explore the Website and Watch the UN Spanish Language Day (2026) - Nairobi!

International Mother Earth Day 2026; April 22nd.

FORUM: "Our Power, Our Planet" International Mother Earth Day 2026. This year’s theme is reflecting a fundamental truth: environmental progress doesn’t depend on any single administration or election. It’s sustained by daily actions of communities, educators, workers, and families protecting where they live and work. At a moment of heightened uncertainty and environmental stress, one conclusion is clear and broadly shared: progress in protecting our land, air, and water is real,

resilient, and ongoing. The theme reflects a fundamental truth that transcends political cycles. Environmental stewardship has never depended on a single administration, institution, or election. It is sustained by the daily decisions of people who understand that protecting the places where they live and work is both a responsibility and a long-term investment. Earth Day 2026 affirms that the capacity to address environmental challenges is firmly established. Progress is happening across communities through local leadership, pragmatic solutions, and cross-sector collaboration. The campaign focuses on community-led action for climate resilience, clean energy, and protecting public health. Events, including beach cleanups and park restoration, are occurring throughout April, with major activities slated for Earth Week. Our Power, Our Planet is not a political statement. It is a commitment to stewardship, resilience, and shared accountability — a call for every individual, community, and

sector to exercise their power in service of the planet we all depend on. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #EarthActionDay, #OurPowerOurPlanet, #EarthDay2026, #22april.

EVENTS: On Wednesday, April 22nd, a virtual event will be held with the theme "Our Power, Our Planet" to mark the International Mother Earth Day 2026 and to celebrate the 56th anniversary of the Earth Day movement. Register to participate!

LIVESTREAM: Earth Day Live: America’s Cities Are Stepping Up on Climate.

Across the United States, cities are driving real climate progress at the local level, expanding clean energy, strengthening infrastructure, and advancing public health and environmental justice. At a time when federal climate funding is being rolled back or restructured, municipal leaders are adapting in real time by reprioritizing investments, leveraging public-private partnerships, and identifying innovative financing pathways to sustain progress and protect community outcomes. This Earth Day, EARTHDAY.ORG and Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA) convene three municipal leaders turning climate commitments into measurable, community-focused outcomes. The panel explores how cities deliver fiscally responsible solutions, leverage partnerships, and build resilience through local policy, financing, and collaboration. From its origins in 1970 as a mass civic movement, Earth Day’s legacy continues today in cities, where local leaders drive practical, accountable climate action. Across the United States, cities are proving that meaningful climate and environmental progress can begin at the local level. Municipal leaders are achieving outcomes that improve daily life for residents, from expanding clean energy and strengthening resilient infrastructure to protecting public health and advancing environmental justice.

With over 10,000 events, the 2026 Event Map shows the community power taking place across the globe. Join us for Earth Day 2026 activities on Saturday, April 18th, and continue the momentum through Earth Day on April 22nd -- and beyond..

Statement from the United Nations Secretary-General on International Mother Earth Day 2026; April 22nd.


Mother Earth has given us everything. We have repaid her with reckless destruction – polluting her air, poisoning her waters, destabilizing her climate, and pushing countless species to the brink.

She is sounding the alarm – through fire, flood, drought, deadly heat, and rising sea levels. Yet our response is falling dangerously short.

We have the solutions. In most of the world, renewable energy is now the cheapest source of electricity. Climate action is creating jobs, strengthening economies, and saving lives. But we are moving too slowly. We must break our dependence on fossil fuels, protect and restore nature at scale, and deliver climate justice for those who did least to cause this crisis yet suffer the most.

Around the world, young activists, Indigenous Peoples, scientists, and civil society are already leading the way. Their power is our power. Governments and business must match that courage with urgent action – for our planet, for all who depend on her, and for every generation to come.

António Guterres; Secretary-General of the United Nations.

TAKE ACTION: Progress does not happen in silence. It happens when people show up.

Environmental progress is built through everyday action—from communities protecting ecosystems to innovators advancing solutions. Clean air, safe water, and climate resilience aren’t optional—they’re essential. For Earth Day 2026, we’re mobilizing at scale. Every action counts. Every voice matters.

Pillar One: Resilience and Institutional Continuity

• The work continues regardless of federal policy
• Environmental action is local and decentralized — policy shifts happen in your
• town, not just Washington
• Progress is already operational, not aspirational — solar programs, efficiency
• investments, ecosystem restoration exist and are working
• Economics, education, and conservation outlast political cycles — these don't disappear with an administration change

Pillar Two: Shared Interests and Interconnected Outcomes

• Environmental protection affects everyone, everywhere
• Human health — asthma, lead, climate-driven illness affect real families
• Economic security — farmers, fishers, firefighters all depend on a healthy
• environment
• Spiritual & moral values — stewardship of the Earth isn't political, it's biblical
• Global ecosystems — what happens over there affects what happens here
• Quality of life — can my kids fish in the local stream? Can they breathe clean air?

GET INVOLVED!

Every individual has the power to create change. Join community cleanups, tree plantings, or peaceful demonstrations. Contact elected officials. Teach others. Make sustainable choices daily. When individuals act, communities form. When communities speak up, leaders listen. Discover 50 ways to take action.50 Day Tips

COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Access free toolkits to plan your Earth Day 2026 event: Community Cleanup Kit, Peaceful Demonstration Guide, Tree Planting Organizer, Town Hall Planning Guide, Voter Registration Drive Kit, Teach-In Curriculum, and Faith Gathering Resources. Each includes step-by-step planning guides, promotional templates, safety guidelines, and talking points. Access everything at The Earth Hub.How to plan my events (resource page) Earth Hub.

Our Power, Our Planet

Stories from Around the World

World Creativity and Innovation Day 2026; April 21st.

FORUM: "Making Creativity Matter." World Creativity & Innovation Day 2026. It's time to encourage creative multidisciplinary thinking to help us achieve the sustainable future we want. Innovation is essential for harnessing the economic potential of nations. Follow the conversation with the hashtags #21April, #WCID; #WorldCreativityandInnovationDay; #InnovationDay.

EVENTS: Take part in the global celebration of creative expression.

• Online, from 2 March 2026 to 1 March 2027; A Year Living with Your Imagination.
• Online, from 2 to 30 April 2026; Afrogoth – A fashion movement for curious, playful global citizens who love the stories and histories that clothes tell.
• Private, Lansing, Michigan from 15 to 22 April 2026; Accelerating Growth Through AI.
• In Person, from 15 to 21 April 2026; Find the Creativity Virus.
• Online, from 15 to 30 April 2026; Unleashing Your Creativity Package.
• Online, from 15 April 2026 - 21 April 2026; The Invisible Drag Room for Creativity.
• Online, from 15 to 21 April 2026; UJ World Creativity and Innovation Week – Theme: Future Ready – Creative Confidence for One World of Many Ideas.
• Online, from 15 to 21 April 2026 ; Beyond the Brainstorm: World-Class Thinkers on Creativity, Innovation and What Actually Works.
• Online, from 16 to 20 April 2026; WCIW-challenge.

ACTIONS

•  Encourage creativity in homes, schools, and communities
•  Inspire everyone to live more creative lives.

Chinese Language Day 2026; April 20th.

FORUM: Language Days at the United Nations seek to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official languages throughout the Organization. The date for the Chinese day was selected from Guyu ("Rain of Millet"), which is the 6th of 24 solar terms in the traditional East Asian calendars, to pay tribute to Cangjie. Cangjie is a very important figure in ancient China, claimed to be an official historian of the Yellow Emperor and the inventor of Chinese characters. Legend has it that he had four eyes and four pupils, and that when he invented the characters, the deities and ghosts cried and the sky rained millet. From then on, Chinese people celebrate the day Guyu in honour of Cangjie. In the Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around April 20. Chinese was established as an official language of the United Nations in 1946. However, in early years, Chinese was not commonly used in the work of the United Nations. The situation was improved after restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations in 1971. In 1973, the General Assembly included Chinese as a working language, which was followed by the Security Council in 1974. More and more UN offices and staff members work with Chinese language. Follow the conversations with the hashtags:#learnChinese, #chineselanguageday, #20April, #Chineselanguage.

EVENTS: On April 20th 2026, from 18:00pm to 20:30pm, New York time at the Curved Wall in the United Nations Headquaters, the 2026 observance of the United Nations Chinese Language Day and the celebration of the 80th Anniversary of Chinese Translation Service will be held.

 A series of cultural events have been held in multiple locations worldwide to mark the 2026 United Nations Chinese Language Day. 

On Monday, a special celebration commemorating both the Chinese Language Day and the 80th anniversary of the Chinese Language Service will be held at the United Nations Headquarters.
The celebration, jointly organized by the Chinese Book Club at the UN, the Chinese Translation Service, and the Chinese Language Teaching Unit, will be held in the Delegates Entrance Hall. Activities will include guided exhibition tours, cultural performances, and interactive experiences showcasing elements of China's intangible cultural heritage.

The celebration aims to promote the richness of the Chinese language and culture, while highlighting the contributions of Chinese language professionals within the UN system.

The UN has six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. To highlight linguistic and cultural diversity and promote the equal use of these languages, the UN Department of Global Communications launched UN Language Days in 2010. It designated April 20 — coinciding with Grain Rain in the traditional Chinese calendar — as Chinese Language Day, in honor of Cangjie, the "ancestor of Chinese characters."

In addition, special lectures and cultural experience activities will be held at the UN on April 21 to further promote exchanges and mutual learning between the Chinese language and the world's diverse cultures, the UN's official website announced.

In recent days, various locations around the world have held vibrant celebrations to mark this year's UN Chinese Language Day. According to the Xinhua News Agency, in Warsaw, Poland, nearly 200 Chinese and Polish students gathered at SWPS University for performances and exchanges under the theme of cultural exchange between China and the West. In Sofia, Bulgaria, the Confucius Institute organized a Chinese singing contest and inaugurated a peony culture center on Saturday local time.

In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Lusaka, Zambia, universities and Confucius Institutes also presented songs, dances, and cultural performances to highlight the growing global appeal of the Chinese language. Similar events in Nairobi, Kenya, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, emphasized dialogue among civilizations and the role of Chinese in sparking colorful dreams.

Earlier, a celebration titled Chinese Language Shining Civilizations was held at the UN headquarters in New York to mark the UN Chinese Language Day. At the end of its report, the UN noted that in today's world, where globalization and digitalization are deeply intertwined, Chinese is continuously gaining new vitality.

At the intersection of technological empowerment and cultural heritage, the Chinese language not only connects the past with the future, but also facilitates communication among civilizations and contributes to a new chapter of multilateralism, the report said.

Wang Deyan, director of the Chinese Language Department at the School of Liberal Arts and Law of North China University of Technology, expressed support. He told the Global Times on Sunday that the widespread global celebrations of UN Chinese Language Day highlight the status of Chinese as an official global language and reflect the growing influence of the Chinese language and culture.

Wang further noted that the Chinese Language Day is not only a celebration of language and culture, but also an important example of China promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, participating in global cultural governance, and contributing to a more just and inclusive international order. Amid profound global changes unseen in a century, cultural connection through language is more enduring than confrontation and division.

"At a time when global trust and understanding deficits are intensifying, language and culture serve as the most accessible and non-confrontational means of communication. Chinese cultural elements such as calligraphy, intangible cultural heritage, and creative products going global are not merely displays, but a subtle way of conveying Chinese values and wisdom, presenting a multidimensional and authentic image of China, easing misunderstandings, and bringing a sense of inclusiveness to a tense international climate," Wang said.

From another perspective, the global discourse system has long been imbalanced. Through language promotion, the Chinese Language Day also shares traditional concepts such as harmony, coexistence, and the pursuit of common good, offering an alternative perspective in global cultural discourse and helping foster a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive cultural landscape in line with the vision of a shared future for humanity, said the expert.

On April 20th 2026, from 8:30am to 11:30am, New York time. Join the virtual forum entitled ''Fluent Futures Forum: Chinese Learning and Youth Engagement for a Multilingual UN 2.0 World'' to explore the role of youth in advancing Multilingualism utilizing UN 2.0 Quintet of Skills through the lens of Chinese language learning within and beyond the United Nations.


This year’s theme is “Fluent Futures Forum: Chinese Learning and Youth Engagement for a Multilingual UN 2.0 World”, which highlights the role of multilingualism in strengthening global cooperation and empowering the next generation. The Fluent Futures Forum will bring together speakers from across the United Nations system, academia, and global media. They will discuss how learning Chinese supports youth engagement, leadership development, and intercultural communication. The programme includes a keynote address by the UN Youth Office, alongside talks on Chinese as a “bridge language” for UN 2.0, youth career pathways, AI and language learning, and SDG-driven curriculum design. Speakers include a prominent French media personality working in Chinese-language broadcasting, a senior UNFPA staff member engaged in Chinese-language study, and a Malagasy scholar currently pursuing her PhD in China. Join us in celebrating UN Chinese Language Day and reaffirming the United Nations commitment to linguistic diversity and an inclusive global dialogue. The Fluent Futures Forum is organized by the Language and Communications Training Unit (LCTU) in the Capacity Development and Operational Training Services (CDOTS) within the Office of Support Operations (OSO) of the Department of Operational Support (DOS).

Non‑UN participants can register to participate.
UN‑internal participants can join the event directly

Find the full programme on UN.org.
To attend the Fluent Futures Forum on 20 April, join the event via Microsoft Teams.
Join the virtual forum  via Microsoft Teams.

On April 17th, 2026 at the ''Palace of Nations'' in Geneva, Switzerland; The 6th China Media Group (CMG) Chinese Language Video Festival held to mark the 2026 United Nations Chinese Language Day.

On April 14th, 2026 at the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) in Kenya, the celebration of the U.N. Chinese Language Day 2026 was held. Related Sites and Documents: website & Programme

Watch celebrating Chinese Language Day 2026 - Nairobi!

World Art Day 2026; April 15th.

FORUM: "Art & Human Dignity: Human Rights and Healing Arts for a Culture of Peace." World Art Day 2026. Each year, the celebrations help reinforce the links between artistic creations and society, encourage greater awareness of the diversity of artistic expressions and highlight the contribution of artists to sustainable development. It is also an occasion to shine a light on arts education in schools, as culture can pave the way for inclusive and equitable education. Under the patronage of UNESCO, in partnership with the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Global Peace Education Network (GPEN), Dr. Guila Clara Kessous is organizing the forum “Art & Human Dignity: Human Rights and Healing Arts for a Culture of Peace”. This forum, aligned with UNESCO’s mandate to promote the arts as a bridge across cultures, ideologies, languages and geographies, reflects the crucial use of arts as an enabler for healing and social cohesion, contributing to consolidating a culture of peace. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #worldArtDay, #15April, #Arts.

EVENT: On April 15th; The event held on World Art Day 2026 will examine the positive impact of the arts in promoting global peace, human rights, health, and well-being. As stated by Dr. Kessous, UNESCO Artist for Peace, and Ambassador for Peace of the Universal Circle of Ambassadors of Peace (Geneva): “The impact of art is underestimated today. We have a limited view of the artist as someone who produces beauty devoid of social conscience. In response, many artists decide to combine activism and art to become ‘artivists’ – offering their talents to alleviate suffering, promote peace and prevent war.”

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"The impact of art is underestimated today. We have a limited view of the artist as someone who produces beauty devoid of social conscience. In response, many artists decide to combine activism and art to become ‘artivists’ – offering their talents to alleviate suffering, promote peace and prevent war."
Dr. Kessous UNESCO Artist for Peace, and Ambassador for Peace of the Universal Circle of Ambassadors of Peace (Geneva). Watch the trailer of this event here

Agenda Programme

7:00 PM CET Time - INTRODUCTION

- Dr. Guila Clara Kessous, UNESCO Artist for Peace – Ambassador for Peace of the Universal Circle of Ambassadors of Peace (Geneva)
- Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO
- Christopher Bailey, Arts and Health Lead at the World Health Organization, Co-founder, and Co-director Jameel Arts & Health Lab
- Dr. Nisha Sajnani, Director of the Program in Drama Therapy; Chair, Creative Arts Therapies Consortium; Founder of the Arts and Health initiative at New York University; Co-founder and Co-director Jameel Arts & Health Lab


7:30 PM CET Time – ART and HEALING

Roundtable: Healing through Art

- Dr. Vicky Karkou Director of the Research Centre for Arts and Wellbeing, Edge Hill University, UK
- Dr. Pierre Lemarquis, neurologist, musicologist, member of the Society of Francophone Clinical Neurophysiologists and of the New York Academy of Sciences, France
- Alfredo Fort, MD, Msc. Ph.D. Global health consultant, El Salvador

Roundtable: “Verstohlen”: The Art of Being Human

- Antoine Fenoglio, designer, « Design with care », Conservatoire national des Arts et Métiers, chaire Humanités et Santé, France
- Cynthia Fleury, philosopher

“Museums on Prescription”: a Canadian initiative
- Stephen Legari, Program Officer, Art Therapy, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
- Sophie Lessard-Latendresse, Head of the art and wellness development at the National Museum of Fine Arts Of Quebec


8:30 PM CET Time – ART, HUMAN RIGHTS, and SOCIAL HEALTH

The core of Art - Charles Pépin, philosopher

Roundtable: Ethical Artistic Practice in support of Human Rights and Dignity

- Alison Phipps, UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts at the University of Glasgow.
- Taigué Ahmed, artivist, Chadian choreographer and director of the association Ndam Se Na in N'Djamena.
- Jonathan Fox, Co-Founder of Playback Theatre, USA

Artivism

- Fabrice Don de Dieu, artivist, “Refugees on the Move” workshops for refugees from the Central African Republic


9:00 PM – ART and PEACE EDUCATION

Roundtable: Peace Education through Art

- Dr. Tony Jenkins, Manager, International Institute for Peace Education, Georgetown University, USA
- David Cottrrell, Artist in residence, Department of Defense, UK
- Tarrie Burnett, Executive Director for Tomorrow’s Women, Israel

Roundtable: Peacebuilding through Art

- Alla Rogers, Director, Art and Cultural Impact Programs, Global Peace Education Network.
- Melvin Hardy, Arts and Education Social Entrepreneur. United Nations
- Dr. Lisa Worth Huber, National Peace Academy, USA

Theatre of The Oppressed

- Dr. Julian Boal, Co-Founder, Escola de Teatro Poplar/ The School of Popular Theatre, Brazil
- Dr. Nisha Sajnani, Director of the Program in Drama Therapy; Chair, Creative Arts Therapies Consortium; Founder of the Arts and Health initiative at New York University; Co-founder and Co-director Jameel Arts & Health Lab

10:00 PM CET Time – CONCLUSION

- Dr. Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Mukwege Foundation, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

African congolese initiative: art to help the fight against child labor in mines

- His Excellency Archimede Kabeya Kalasa
- Executive secretary of the Governement of Province Lualaba, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Music for hope
- Jean Michel Jarre, Artist, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

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Rising voices

Roundtable: Art Therapy Methodology

- Dr. Jacques STITELMANN – PhD. Psychologue FSP, Psychothérapeute ASP, Switzerland
- Dr. Jean-Pierre Klein, Psychiatrist, Director of the National Institute of Expression, Creation, Art and Therapy, France
- François Lacroix, MD, Art Therapist, Head of “L’Atelier des Possibles”, Switzerland


Roundtable: Art with social and medical impact

- Marlène Huissoud, experimental designer, Arts Foundation UK for the Material Innovation Award, 2016, UK
- Dr Myriam Belghazi Nciri, President of the Association “Dar Zhor”, Morocco
- François Struzik, photoreporter on the human side, “Simply Human” initiative

Nawell Ainèche, transdisciplinary artist, “Wearable sculpture” movement


Roundtable: Art and well being

Barbara Lau, family dramatherapist, vice president of the national association of dramatherapy, French representative at the European Federation of Dramatherapy

Anne Cazaubon, author, artist, coach

Marie Serruya, plastic artist


Digital Art and social impact

Pierre Fautrel, leader of “Obvious” a collective of artists working with artificial intelligence

Art and joy

Richard Orlinski, artist

Roundtable "Art as a nectar of life"

- Kudsi Erguner, musician
- Alexandra Zimeray, art therapist, Johannesburg
- Yves Dana, sculptor
- Frank Lalou, author, calligrapher
- Bouchra Benyezza, psychotherapist and art therapist, Morocco

Roundtable "The Art Pledge initiative"

- Didier Saulnier, co-founder of The Art Pledge platform
- Gaelle Choisne, artist

Bibliotherapy

- Marie Claude Réau, editorial director of documentaries Bayard youth press
- Céline Mas, co-founder of « Love for Livres » and author

Beauty, tradition and engagement

- Marie Gugliermina, Marketing Manager of Daum, cristal brand

Being aware of what "Art therapy" does really mean?

- Dr. Anne Marie Dubois, scientific manager of the Museum of Art and History of the St Ann hospital in Paris, Center of study and expression


Engage with Art!

- Barbara Borsotto, scarf designer, Daphné brand, Italy
- Laurent Godard, doctor, designer, France

OTHERS EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS: Worldwide Celebrations of World Art Day 2026.

On Wednesday April 15th, 2026; The value of creativity and the richness​ of Jersey's cultural landscape by coinciding a day of artistic and cultural events with UNESCO's World Art Day will be celebrated . The key partners across arts, culture and heritage in Jersey are working together to deliver an Island wide celebration of the arts with support from:Jersey Arts Centre​; The ArtHouse Jersey; The Jersey Opera House; The Ballet d'Jerri​; The Jersey Heritage​; The doors will be open to to Islanders to provide a range of workshops, tours, exhibitions, activities. The celebration is open to everyone. It encourages people of all ages to get involved in art, discover local talent and explore the stories and heritage that shape the Island's identity. The aims of the event is to ​build community connections, to support cultural participation and to showcase the Island's diversity and creativity​​; Learn more about the schedules!

At The Frank Lloyd Wright Building as Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Guggenheim New York is an architectural icon that has inspired countless visitors and is widely seen as Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece.The Museum in New york will organize:

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 2 pm EDT Join the event ''Mind’s Eye: Carol Bove''

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 2 pm EDT; If you're Curious about the Building? 

On Friday, April 17, 2026, 5 pm EDT, will be held the Students Fest: Play.

EXHIBITS:

- Carol Bove From March 5, 2026–August 2, 2026
- Gabriele Münter: Contours of a World From November 7, 2025–April 26, 2026

- Collection in Focus | Robert Rauschenberg: Life Can’t Be Stopped From October 10, 2025–May 3, 2026

- Collection in Focus | Modern European Currents From July 15, 2025–January 10, 2027

- Thannhauser Collection - Ongoing - Vasily Kandinsky - Landscape with Rolling Hills, 1910

The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issued six stamps in celebration of World Art Day.