THE UN MOVIE SOCIETY
PRESENTS
SHAKESPEARE AT THE UN
IN COMMEMORATION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAY 2026 AT THE UNITED NATIONS
VIRTUAL GLOBAL LAUNCH: UNITED NATIONS
Thursday, 23 April 2026
9:00am EST (New York Time)
UN Global YouTube: https://youtu.be/XAnuDW0Sfyw
UN Web TV: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1q/k1qqgygtb1
On 23 April 2026, in commemoration of the English Language Day 2026 at the United Nations, the UN Movie Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council will present the 3rd Annual “Shakespeare at the UN”– 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 – 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.
On this occasion, opening remarks will be delivered by H.E. Mr. Archie Young CMG, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations & Ambassador to the UN General Assembly. The programme brings together the UN’s core pillars — including Human Rights and Peace & Security — illuminated through carefully chosen Shakespeare works. Under Human Rights, Shakespeare’s Globe — led by its Artistic Director Michelle Terry — presents Shylock’s landmark speech from The Merchant of Venice (Act III, Scene 1), a profound meditation on human dignity and the universal demand to be seen as fully human — performed by the late Adrian Schiller, one of Britain's most distinguished classical stage actors. Under Peace and Security, performers from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama — led by its Principal and CEO, Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE - bring monologues from Henry V (Chinese), Titus Andronicus (French), Macbeth (English), and Richard II (Spanish and Sign Language), reflecting on conflict, leadership, and the cost of war. We will also present performances delivered by Japanese actors Yamato Kochi and Maimi, Ukrainian actor Petro Ninovskyi, and the brilliant Richard Keith, the BA in Acting Course Leader at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). The programme will also feature reflections by Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, Co-Artistic Directors of the Royal Shakespeare Company, with closing remarks by Professor 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 William Shakespeare. As well as being the most famous playwright, who wrote in English, Shakespeare also had a huge impact on modern-day English. 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:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/english-language-day
PROGRAMME
Brenda Vongova
President of the UN Movie Society
of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
H.E. Mr. Archie Young CMG
Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations
& Ambassador to the UN General Assembly
Remarks by Tamara Harvey & Daniel Evans
Co-Artistic Directors of the Royal Shakespeare Company
Remarks by Michelle Terry
Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe
The Merchant of Venice, (Act III, Scene 1) - Shylock’s “Hath not a Jew eyes?...” speech, by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Adrian Schiller
Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE
Principal and CEO of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London
Henry V, Act I, Scene 1 ("The courses of his youth promised it not…”), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Qipeng Wang (in Chinese)
Titus Andronicus, Act I, Scene 1 ("Stay, Roman brethren! Gracious conqueror…”), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Solenn Mara-Lewis (in French)
Macbeth, Act I, Scene 5 ("The raven himself is hoarse…”), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Nina Fog
Richard II, Act III, Scene 2 ("For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground…”), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Juan José Galeano Pareja (in Spanish Spoken & Sign Language)
Sonnet 29 - "When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes", by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Brenda Vongova
Romeo & Juliet Act 1, Scene 1, Prince Escalus’s (“Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace…”), Excerpt, by William Shakespeare
~Performed by Richard Keith
Henry VI, Part 3 (Act II, Scene 5), “This battle fares like to the morning's war…”, by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Yamato Kochi (in Japanese)
Romeo and Juliet, Act III, Scene 3, (“Heaven is here, where Juliet lives…”), by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Maimi (in Japanese)
Henry VI, Part 1 (Act IV, Scene 1) – "Come hither, you that would be combatants…”, by William Shakespeare
~ Performed by Petro Ninovskyi
Professor Michael Dobson
Director of The Shakespeare Institute
UN Department of Global Communications
Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations
Shakespeare Globe
Michelle Terry, Artistic Director
Royal Shakespeare Company
Tamara Harvey, Co-Artistic Director
Daniel Evans, Co-Artistic Director
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE, Principal and CEO
Ricky Zalman, Alumni Engagement Officer
Nadia Fulgoni, Head of Marketing & Communications
Hala Kabalan, Marketing & Communications Officer
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)
Richard Keith, BA in Acting Course Leader
Shakespeare Institute
Professor Michael Dobson, Director of The Shakespeare Institute
Artwork in the Poster:
Illustration of William Shakespeare reciting his play Hamlet to his family. His wife, Anne Hathaway, is sitting in the chair on the right; his son Hamnet is behind him on the left; his two daughters Susanna and Judith are on the right and left of him.
By Perine, George Edward, 1837-1885, printmaker - engraved for the Eclectic by Perine & Giles.
Opening and Closing Music:
UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director
ELFRIDA ANDREE (1841 - 1929) Piano Quartet in A Minor: I. Allegro molto moderato
Hana Mundiya (Violin), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), Derek Louie (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
Zefu Chen
Video Editor, UN Movie Society
