“If you fight for peace, you never experience it,” says an old proverb. There is a huge variety of pathways how each of us finds human and spiritual prosperity and well-being in the contemporary world. However, most of verities we experience in our lives are already kept in the memory of the humanity. Culture has always been a rich melting pot which preserves the art of living knowledge for the next generations and is easily accessible to everyone. I wish to celebrate everyone the culture of peace and harmony on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the International Art of Living Foundation and experience the power of cultural diversity in the World Cultural Festival!”

Hon Ms Dace Melbarde, is the Latvian Minister of Culture and former Director of the Latvian National Centre for Culture. Previously, she was Country Manager of the British Council in Latvi and Under-Secretary of State on Cultural Policy issues of the Latvian Ministry of Culture. She also did a stint as Secretary-General of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, contributing successfully to its promotion within Latvia and UNESCO.

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