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

English language Day 2023; March 23rd.

FORUM: “Promote the use of English.” English language Day 2023; 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. Follow the conversation with the hashtags, #EnglishLanguageDay; #23April; #WilliamShakespeare.

 EVENTS: At UNHQ in New york, On April 23rd; The English language Day 2023 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 U.N. 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 United Nations Engish Language Day 2023 at UNESCO Headquater. 

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.

WEBINARS:

English Language Day 2022; April 23rd.

"Honoring William Shakespeare " English Language Day 2022.

He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language.

EVENTS

Presented by the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council

 

UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
MUSIC THERAPY CONCERT
WITH CLASSICAL PIANIST JEROME LOWENTHAL

WEILL RECITAL HALL
AT CARNEGIE HALL
154 W 57TH STREET

Monday, 2 May 2022
7:30pm EST 
 

The UN Chamber Music Society is proud to present a concert in support of the Helen Sawaya Fund, a philanthropy program headquartered at Mount Sinai Health System, whose mission is to enhance the experience of cancer patients using complementary therapies which include music therapy. 

Music, which symbolizes peace and hope, also holds the power to help in alleviating pain, easing side-effects, while reducing physical and emotional stress.  Founded in 2016, the UN Chamber Music Society is dedicated to promoting the United Nations' goals and values at large - through the universal language of music.

 

 

OPENING MESSAGE
Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications
 
 

UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
OF THE UNITED NATIONS STAFF RECREATION COUNCIL
WITH CLASSICAL PIANIST JEROME LOWENTHAL

Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director & Piano

Hana Mundiya, Violin
Rohan Mundiya, Violin

Jeremy Kienbaum, Viola
May Endy, Cello
Sachiko Kato, Piano
 

MUSIC PROGRAMME

FREDERIC CHOPIN (1810 - 1849) Impromptu No.2 in F-Sharp Major, Op.36
Jerome Lowenthal (Piano)

GABRIEL FAURE  (1845 - 1924) Dolly, Op. 56: 1. Berceuse
Jerome Lowenthal (Piano), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU (1683 - 1764) Les Boréades, RCT 31, Act IV, Sc.IV: Entrée de Polimnie
Hana Mundiya (Violin), Rohan Mundiya (Violin), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), May Endy (Cello)

PABLO CASALS (1876 - 1973) - Song of the Birds
May Endy (Cello)

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF (1873 - 1943) 2 Pieces, TN ii/22: No. 2 Romance in A Major
Sachiko Kato (Piano), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

FRANZ SCHUBERT (1797 - 1828) Piano Trio No.2 in E Flat Major, Op.100, D.929: II. Andante Con Moto
Hana Mundiya (Violin), May Endy (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

INTERMISSION

Remarks by Dr. Gabriel Sara,
Co-Founder & Director of the Helen Sawaya Fund & Medical Director of the Chemotherapy Infusion Suite,
The Mount Sinai West Hospital

ERIC NEVEUX (1972 - ) Music from the motion picture "De son vivant" ("Peaceful") directed by Emmanuelle Bercot (arr. James McWilliam for the UN Chamber Music Society); (c) Studiocanal - Les Films du Kiosque - Unkle Productions
Hana Mundiya (Violin), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), May Endy (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

VADIM PETROV (1932 - 2020) Ruské evangelium (arr. for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Hana Mundiya (Violin Solo), Rohan Mundiya (Violin I), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), May Endy (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
 

“Aatini Nay” (Lyrics from Gebran Khalil Gebran, Composed by Nagib Hankache) | (arr. A Bu for the UN Chamber Music Society) | Courtesy of “Voix de l’Orient” (A.Chahine & Fils)

Hana Mundiya (Violin), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), May Endy (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

JOE HISAISHI (1950 - ) "Reprise" from Spirited Away [arr. by Sachiko Miyano for the UN Chamber Music Society]
Hana Mundiya (Violin I), Rohan Mundiya (Violin II),  Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), May Endy (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

CHRISTOPHER TIN (1976 - ) "Baba Yetu" from Calling All Dawns (Arranged for the UN Chamber Music Society)

Hana Mundiya (Violin I), Rohan Mundiya (Violin II),  Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), May Endy (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
 

 

SPECIAL THANKS

UN Department of Global Communications

Mount Sinai Health System
 

The Carnegie Hall Team

Andrey Nastasenko, Photographer

Klavierhaus

Artwork of poster compliments of EMBC, representing painter Melissa McCracken

 

*************************************
 

Tickets: Carnegiehall.org | CarnegieCharge 212-247-7800
Box Office at 57th and Seventh