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