Moscow, March 24, 2025 – In celebration of the XXVI UNESCO World Poetry Day, a remarkable theatrical, literary, and musical performance took place at the Central House of Writers. This evening of cultural excellence brought together renowned poets, writers, artists, and musicians to honor the power of the poetic word.
The highlight of the evening was the innovative poetry event “Minute of Non-Silence: We Are People of One Planet”, an entirely new tradition dedicated to memory and peace. Unlike a traditional moment of silence, this minute was filled with the resonant voices of people united by a shared commitment to peace, mutual respect, and the preservation of historical memory. Poets from across the globe read in all currently existing languages, transforming this moment into a living symbol of humanity’s unity and hope.
The concept, envisioned by Margarita Al, President of the World Organization of Writers (WOW), required 300 participants to simultaneously recite 100 poems about peace in 30 different languages within 60 seconds, creating an extraordinary symphony of voices. The outcome exceeded expectations, with even more languages and poems than initially planned, amplifying the spirit of global harmony.
This monumental event gathered poets and readers from across Russia’s regions and territories, including Kalmykia, Bashkiria, Tatarstan, the Komi Republic, Udmurtia, Chuvashia, the Republic of Tuva, Buryatia, and Ossetia, as well as neighboring and international participants from Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Greece, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Congo, Mongolia, Nepal, and many others.
Following the live gathering, an online meeting was held, bringing together the leaders of the language groups, poets, and readers who participated in the “Minute of Non-Silence” flash mob. Among the distinguished participants were:
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Dr. Vale Okediran, Head of the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), Poet and musician Luis Carlos Prestes Jr. (Brazil), Professor Prithviraj Taur (India), Poet Hamid Nazarkah Alisarae (Iran), Poet Dimitris P. Kraniotis (Greece), Poet and journalist Nia Amira Osman, founder of the Nia Amira Osman Foundation (Indonesia), Mira Purevjav Gerelt-Od, Chairman of the Mongolian Writers Association (Mongolia), Poet Alexander Ratkevich (Belarus), Writer Vladimir Delba (Abkhazia) and Poet Viktor Klykov (Austria)
Dr. Vale Okediran, Head of the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), Poet and musician Luis Carlos Prestes Jr. (Brazil), Professor Prithviraj Taur (India), Poet Hamid Nazarkah Alisarae (Iran), Poet Dimitris P. Kraniotis (Greece), Poet and journalist Nia Amira Osman, founder of the Nia Amira Osman Foundation (Indonesia), Mira Purevjav Gerelt-Od, Chairman of the Mongolian Writers Association (Mongolia), Poet Alexander Ratkevich (Belarus), Writer Vladimir Delba (Abkhazia) and Poet Viktor Klykov (Austria)These cultural leaders expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Margarita Al, the author of the idea and organizer of the event, as well as Dr Alexandra Ochirova; the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and Chairman of the Board of WOW for their dedication to this global artistic initiative.
In her closing remarks, WOW President Margarita Al extended her deep appreciation to all participants and supporters of the event. She also offered special thanks to WOW Vice President for Information and Journalism Ashraf Aboul – Yazid (Egypt) for his exceptional coordination and media efforts, and to WOW Coordination Council Head Eldar Akhadov (Azerbaijan) for his outstanding organizational leadership.
The “Minute of Non-Silence” has established itself as a new poetic tradition—one that celebrates the power of words as an instrument of peace, remembrance, and global unity
