In response to the growing divide between people of different cultures and societies since Sept. 11, World Culture Open launched a campaign to increase the sharing of arts and culture between nations and societies. Appropriately inaugurated in New York City, an urban cornucopia of cultural milieus, World Culture Open 2004, was designed as a global celebration -- similar to an Olympic festival of cultures -- to honor artistic and cultural traditions and their pivotal role in building peace and promoting the holistic approach to well-being. The eight day international event brought together traditional dancers and musicians, artists, holistic practitioners, non-governmental organizations, United Nations secretariats, ambassadors and culture ministers from every region of the world to exchange and dialogue as a global community.

To learn more about the festival, visit World Culture Open's official site.