The International Movement for the affirmation of April 15 as Universal Day of Culture (IMAUDC) was established in December 2008 by NGOs from
Cuba,
Italy,
Lithuania,
Latvia,
Russia and
Spain. As of 2014, 40 organizations from 14 countries and 25,000 individuals participate in the Movement. On November 24, 2007 the 26th session of the
Baltic Assembly adopted a Resolution, initiated by Lithuania, in which the Assembly proposed to the governments of
Latvia, Lithuania and
Estonia to proclaim April 15 as Day of Culture of the
Baltic states. At the celebrations in 2009 the minister of defense of Lithuania
Rasa Juknevičienė, the minister of culture
Remigijus Vilkaitis, ambassador of Day of Culture at Council of the Commission about the Culture of the
Union of the Baltic Cities Aukse Narvilene appeared with salutatory addresses. In her address to the Banner of Peace hoisting ceremony to mark the Universal Day of Culture in 2011 the Speaker of
Seimas of Lithuania Mrs.
Irena Degutienė said that this is a day, on which
"people are exchanging ideas on the fundamental values, raising and addressing fundamental questions, and the word "culture" is uttered more often than usual." She specified culture
"not only as the artistic and creative heritage passed on from generation to generation, but also as our level of communication, capacity of building bridges of tolerance, and the level of trust in others who have different views and profess different faith." Celebrations are held annually in
Moscow,
St. Petersburg,
Ekaterinburg,
Irkutsk and
Berezniki. Notable Russian politicians and public figures are members of the Council of the International Movement. The members of the
Russian Duma Elena Drapeko and
Nikolay Rastorguyev, and the
cosmonaut Aleksandr Balandin are among them. The
Association of Space Explorers in Russia also supported the Universal Day of Culture.
Brazil In
Brazil the celebrations are organized annually by Brazilian Roerich Institute, which was established in 1999. On April 15, 2010, the 75th anniversary of the Roerich Pact, the panel "Protection and Preservation of natural treasures: the challenges to the servers of culture" was held in
São Paulo. The Banner of Peace has been hoisted as well.
Canada In
Canada the Universal Day of Culture is celebrated in
Edmonton,
Alberta since 2012. They are organized by the Alberta Banner of Peace Association, with the participation of Alberta Interscience Association and
Edmonton Theosophical Society in different years.
United States In the United States of America, the Universal Day of Culture has been observed since 2023 by an annual celebration in Savannah, Tennessee. The event includes meetings with representatives from countries all around the globe, cultural performances, authentic food and craft vendors, and a parade.
Philippines In 2024 Central Mindanao Colleges in Kidapawan City joined in the commemoration of the Universal Day of Culture, stating that "Beyond mere observance, this event stands as a testament to the multifaceted richness of global cultural diversity".
Romania In Romania, the observance of the Universal Day of Culture started in 2024, with a celebration at the National Museum of Romanian Literature, attended by official representatives from the embassies of Argentina, Cuba, Greece, Mexico and Norway, and from the
Liszt Institute.
Other countries The Universal Day of Culture is celebrated also in
Argentina,
Bulgaria,
Belarus,
Chile, Cuba,
Israel, Italy, Latvia,
Mexico and Spain. == See also ==