THE UN MOVIE SOCIETY
PRESENTS
SHAKESPEARE AT THE UN
IN COMMEMORATION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAY 2025 AT THE UNITED NATIONS
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VIRTUAL GLOBAL LAUNCH: UNITED NATIONS
Wednesday, 23 April 2025
9:00am EST (New York Time)
UN Global YouTube: ?
UN Web TV:
On 23 April 2025, in commemoration of the English Language Day 2025?at the United Nations, the UN Movie Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council will present the 2nd Annual ¡°Shakespeare at the UN¡±¨C 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.?? The project will be launched on the official global channels of the United Nations ¨C UN Web TV and UN YouTube.
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 (including Mandarin Chinese, Swedish, Ukrainian). The programme will include monologues about peace and war.? It will also delve into the UN theme of climate action, and showcase O ruined piece of nature ¨C penned by Michelle Terry, the Artistic Director of The Globe, featuring artists including Stephen Fry, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Helen Schlesinger, Shubham Saraf, Paul Ready, Rosalie Craig, Hadley Fraser, Philip Cumbus, and Tanika Yearwood.? London¡¯s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama will present monologues focused on sustainable development and the spirit ¨C and how they affect the world.? The program delves further into the UN's work through Shakespeare, showcasing themes including human rights. We will be treated to a special contribution from the Royal Shakespeare Company.?
Opening remarks will be delivered by H.E. Dame Barbara Woodward, DCMG, OBE, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations.? On this occasion, messages will be delivered Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE, Principal and CEO of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, Co-Artistic Directors of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Michelle Terry, Artistic Director of Shakespeare's Globe, and Michael Dobson, Director of the Shakespeare Institute.
English Language Day at the UN?is celebrated annually April 23rd, the date traditionally observed as both the birthday and date of death of?.?As well as being the most famous playwright, who wrote in English, Shakespeare also had a huge?.? 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.?
For more information:
/en/observances/english-language-day
PROGRAMME
Opening
Brenda Vongova
President of the UN Movie Society
H.E. Dame Barbara Woodward, DCMG, OBE
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations
Â鶹´«Ã½ and Security
Burgundy's peace speech from Henry V (Act 5, Scene 2), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Richard Keith
Sonnet 55, by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Petro Ninovskyi (in Ukrainian)
King Henry's (Henry V, Act IV, Scene 7) "I was not angry since I came to France", by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Mark Olsen
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Remarks by Tamara Harvey & Daniel Evans
Co-Artistic Directors of the Royal Shakespeare Company
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Climate Action
Remarks by Michelle Terry
Artistic Director of Shakespeare¡¯s Globe
O ruined piece of nature: Shakespeare's Letter to the Earth
~ Written by Michelle Terry, featuring artists including Stephen Fry, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Helen Schlesinger, Shubham Saraf, Paul Ready, Rosalie Craig, Hadley Fraser, Philip Cumbus, and Tanika Yearwood
Sustainable Development
Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE
Principal and CEO of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London
Hamlet?in Mandarin ( ¨C ¡°To be or not to be¡¡±), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Robin Khor Yong Kuan (in Mandarin Chinese)
Titania¡¯s monologue from A Midsummer Night¡¯s Dream ( ¨C ¡°These are the forgeries of jealousy¡¡±), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Ruben Karsberg (in Swedish)
Kate¡¯s monologue from The Taming of the Shew in English ( ¨C ¡°Fie, Fie¡¡±), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Tracy Ifeachor
Human Rights
Portia's speech from The Merchant of Venice, Act IV, Scene 1, by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Brenda Vongova
Closing
Remarks by Professor Michael Dobson
Director of The Shakespeare Institute
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UN Department of Global Communications
Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE, Principal and CEO
Megan Hunter, Head of Press and Public Relations?
Shaun Northover, Head of Alumni Relations
Kate McCurdy, Digital Content and Social Media Manager
Thomas Butler, Communications Project Officer
Shakespeare Globe
Michelle Terry, Artistic Director
Shakespeare's Letter to the Earth
PRODUCERS: Monica Bakir, Michelle Terry
VIDEOGRAPHER: Michael Jackson for Ambanja Films
CAMERA OPERATOR: Paul Handley
POST-PROUDCTION & EDIT PRODUCER: Sophie Wells
FOOTAGE SOURCES: NASA, POND5, ARTGRID, International Rescue Committee
SPECIAL THANKS: Nadia Albina, Jessica Lusk, Ryo Tabusa, Dr. Will Tosh
Shakespeare and Ecology, by Randall Martin
ALL STAFF AT SHAKESPEARE¡¯s GLOBE
Royal Shakespeare Company
Tamara Harvey, Co-Artistic Director
Daniel Evans, Co-Artistic Director
Shakespeare Institute
Professor Michael Dobson, Director of The Shakespeare Institute
Dr. Richard Keith
Actor, Director, Acting Tutor
Royal Academy of Dance, London
Aud Jebsen Studio Theatre
Artwork in the Poster:
The Plays of William Shakespeare, a painting containing scenes and characters from several plays of Shakespeare (c.?1849), by Sir John Gilbert
Opening and Closing Music:
UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director
CHARLES GOUNOD (1818 ¨C 1893) Ave Maria?(Originally published as ¡°M¨¦ditation sur le Premier Pr¨¦lude de Piano de S. Bach¡±)
Derek Louie (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
Ehren L. Valm¨¦, Audio Production
Stephan Occenad
Video Editor, UN Movie Society
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