World Heritage Week 2023

World Heritage Week is a celebration of the World Heritage City Designation of Philadelphia. The last Thursday of May is set as World Heritage Day by the city council.

In 2016, Mayor Jim Kenney created Philadelphia World Heritage Day on the last Thursday of May to celebrate Philadelphia's World Heritage City Designation. Today, we celebrate World Heritage Week with a selection of events to highlight Philadelphia's international heritages and communities.

This week is a collaborative celebration featuring valued community partners, the Office of the City Representative, and GPA-hosted events.

For our full list of events, please check out our 2023 World Heritage Week flyer.

Friday May 19th:

Featured Event: Sustainable Development Goal Unveiling - Partnership for the Goals

GPA and St. Mary Interparochial School are working together to debut the artwork of Isabelle Cress which highlights SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals. Additionally, this event will kick off GPA’s celebrations for World Heritage Week, and will be occurring in conjunction with the 21st annual St. Mary annual Walkathon, occurring right after the walk.

Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm

Location: 440 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Register

Saturday May 20th:

Revolution Remix

Revolution Remix will change the way you see Philadelphia and its history. We'll walk down streets you may have walked before and visit sites you may have visited before, but the stories we tell are stories you've never heard. Starting at the Liberty Bell and ending at Race Street Pier on the banks of the Delaware River, Revolution Remix shares stories of South Asians in Philadelphia from the 1780s to the present day.

Time: 10 am - 12:30 pm

Location: : Liberty Bell 526 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106

Register

Jazz Cultural Voices

Helen teamed her quartet with a poet, a hip-hop artist/rapper, and an installation artist in a series of interdisciplinary events to celebrate the range and diversity of Asian American artistry.

Helen's 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship is being applied toward a mutli-movement composition for big band; one of the movements, "Wayne's World," won the 2022 BMI Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize.

Time: 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Location: 736 S. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19146

Register

Sunday May 21st:

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation has orchestrated a world class compilation of coaches, captains and players from the Philadelphia International Unity Cup soccer tournament to conduct a fun filled youth soccer clinic. Youth ages 4 to 14 years of age will participate in skills and drills taught by some of our area's most talented athletes. All participants will receive soccer themed giveaways.

This event is in partnership with Philadelphia250 and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.

Time: 10 am - 3:30pm

Location: Franklin Square

Monday May 22nd:

The 19th Annual Global Business Conference

The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) and the Temple University Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) proudly present the 19th Annual Global Business Conference (GBC). Get the latest insights and strategies for success from industry-leading experts in the fields of exporting, world finance, energy supply, fluctuating international markets, global expansion and more – all tailored for businesses based in Southeastern PA and South Jersey.

Time: 7:45 am - 12 pm

Location: Sonesta Rittenhouse Hotel 1800 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19103

Register

Tuesday May 23rd:

Sustainable Development Goals Mural Walking Tour

SDG Walking tour of SDG Murals #5, #16, & #6 hosted by GPA. Join GPA for a free guided tour of 3 of our murals in center city with SDG 5 artist Barbara Smolen. This will be an hour long event to learn about the SDG program at GPA and see the artwork. We will also have donuts and coffee provided by Federal Donuts.

We will meet in the lobby of Two Logan Square at 11am to begin the walk.

Time: 11 am - 12 pm

Location: 2 Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Register

Visit Global Philadelphia Website

We will be featuring our Heritage Story book reading in 3 of the printed languages: English, Japanese, and Spanish. Read aloud by Marilyn Russell, Jennifer Rodríguez, and Yuka Yokoyama. Tune in for the story of Caleb & Olivia's journey through Philadelphia. These coloring books are available for purchase here.

Wednesday May 24th:

Defining Success: Asian American Dream

Asian American Chamber of Commerce

The 2023 theme for AAPI Heritage Month has been dubbed “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity” by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council. “Defining Success: Asian American Dream” is one of our signature events that will highlight five Asian American who will share the story of their career and entrepreneurship journey despite the difficult road they went through.

Time: 11 am - 1 pm

Location: Rivers Casino

Register

Career Fair with Louis. H Farrell School

The purpose of the career fair is to educate our students about different career paths. We are looking for speakers from diverse professions that are open to teaching about their profession. If you are interested in taking part in the career fair please contact the counseling team.

Time: 2 - 6:30 pm

Location: Temple University Campus in Gladfelter Hall Room 107

Register

Friday May 26th:

African Liberation Day Discussion Panel with ACANA

African Liberation Day was originally created in 1963 by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), on May 25 and is celebrated around the world. The celebration in Philly will be held on the 26th. Dr. Molefi K. Asante will speak on the Historic Importance of African Liberation Day and its Creation. Ambassador Dr. Robin R. Sanders will speak on Digitization and its Impact on Trade and Commerce Across Africa.

Time: 2 - 6:30 pm

Location: Temple University Campus in Gladfelter Hall Room 107

Event flyer

Recap Video of the 2022 World Heritage City Celebration

GPA’s annual World Heritage City Celebration is a night to join together, revel in the year’s accomplishments, and honor an outstanding individual who has enriched our community.

Saturday May 27th:

Title: Living Well with Pat Nogar Video

Description: Revisit an amazing cocktail recipe with Pat Nogar of Living Well with Pat Nogar. The Philly Joy is a great cocktail to enjoy this week to wrap up World Heritage Week. Watch the video here.

Sunday May 28th:

Community Partner Event: Preservation Alliance, Schukilll River Walking Tour

Join the Association for Public Art (aPA) and the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia for a Schuylkill River walking tour in celebration of National Historic Preservation Month. This tour will cover the changes and development along the lower Schuylkill River and the industrialization that followed in historical landmarks, and public art spanning the early 18th to the mid-19th century.