The text appears to be a transcript of a live event, the third and final day of the Art of Living's World Culture Festival held in the National Mall, Washington DC. The event was a celebration of unity and diversity, bringing together leaders, artists, and people from all over the world.
The festival kicked off with a drumming performance from the Chenda Kerala Percussion Ensemble, hailing from the southern Indian state of Kerala. The ensemble members, while originally from Kerala, had come from different parts of the United States to participate in the festival.
Following the drumming performance, the event featured a showcase of vibrant rhythms, expressive movements, and profound storytelling from Israeli folk dances. The showcase included the Hora, a spirited and lively dance, and the Yemenite steps, a graceful and poignant dance. The dances were seen as representing distinct regions, communities, or historical narratives.
The event was graced by the presence of the former Prime Minister of Norway and the current President of the Oslo Centre of Peace and Human Rights, the Honourable Kjell Bondevik. He emphasized the importance of living in peace and unity, using culture and religious values to mobilize for peace and reconciliation.
The festival concluded with a reminder of the festival's purpose, emphasizing the importance of respecting and living peacefully with our differences because we are one family in the world. The attendees were encouraged to carry back to their countries the values of cultural and religious diversity, human dignity, peace, and respect for human rights and democracy.
1. The speaker is welcoming everyone to the third day and grand finale of Art of Living's World Culture Festival, which is taking place in the National Mall in Washington DC.
2. The festival is an unprecedented event that has gathered people from all over the city, country, and world, including leaders and artists.
3. The festival's main goals are to celebrate unity and diversity.
4. The first performance of the day is by the Chenda Kerala percussion ensemble, which hails from the southern state of India, Kerala.
5. The Chenda drums are traditionally used to mark auspicious occasions and initiate important events.
6. The festival is showcasing vibrant rhythms, expressive movements, and profound storytelling from Israeli folk dances, including the spirited Hora and the graceful Yemenite steps.
7. The festival is also celebrating Sukkot, a Jewish tradition, with the Jewish community around the world.
8. The former Prime Minister of Norway and the current President of the Oslo Centre of Peace and Human Rights, The Honourable Kjell Bondevik, is present at the festival.
9. Bondevik emphasizes the importance of living in peace and unity, and he criticizes misuse of culture and religion to create conflicts.
10. He also talks about the changing geopolitical situation and the need for leaders to prioritize the common interests of people from all over the world, emphasizing the importance of human dignity, peace, and democracy.