National Participation, In Plain Terms
A single framework for a nation to join the International Cultures Celebration — through one Nation's Representing City and one National Participation Application.
One city per nation per year keeps the focus serious, the production cost shared, and the spotlight strong on each participating nation.
National government, city government, ministries, consulates, tourism boards, chambers of commerce, cultural institutions, trade offices, Economic Empowerment organizations, diaspora groups, sponsors, airlines, hotels, and travel partners.
Inside the nation — through its government, ministry, consulate, tourism authority, diaspora, civic, and cultural networks.
Throughout New York City. The Parade takes place on Avenue of the Americas. Pavilions and Passport to the World experiences take place across Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island where activated.
Application deadline: September 15, 2026. Winning cities announced: September 21, 2026. Celebration week: June 5–12, 2027.
What the National Participation Application Covers
One application covers everything. No separate Tourism Board, Country Star, or Governmental Engagement forms.
Nation's Representing City
Identify the selected city, its support partners, mayor's office, ministries, tourism board, chamber, cultural institutions.
Conference Participation
Honorary Co-Chair, Speaker, and/or Informational / Souvenirs Table at the International Cultures Conference at the United Nations.
Star of Harmony Awards Nominations
Up to five nominations per nation, with full nominee details and Curriculum Vitae.
Country Star
Recognized artist, performer, athlete, chef, intellectual, or public personality representing the nation.
Parade Contingent & Flag Ceremony
National contingent for the International Cultures–Immigrants Parade, plus the diplomat carrying the flag in the Presentation of Nations' Flags.
Tourism Board Support
Tourism Board contact included as a support partner — no separate application.
Passport to the World Activation
How the selected city plans to activate Passport to the World traveler participation in NYC.
Two Around-the-World Travel Tickets as Prizes
Each Nation's Representing City provides two around-the-world travel tickets as prizes for certified Passport to the World participants completing qualifying pavilion visits. Fulfilled via tourism boards, airlines, sponsors, hotels, tour operators, agencies, chambers, or national partners.
Tourism Boards Inside National Participation
Official Tourism Boards — national, city, regional, ministry of tourism, attachés, tourism directors — are part of the city/national governmental participation structure, not a separate application.
Tourism Boards support the broader city and national participation, helping their selected city present tourism, heritage, cuisine, hospitality, and travel opportunities to NYC audiences. They may support:
- ✓Destination promotion
- ✓Tourism content for the national pavilion
- ✓Tourism media
- ✓Visitor packages
- ✓Airlines, hotels, tour operators, and travel partners
- ✓Passport to the World promotion
- ✓Post-event tourism follow-up
- ✓The two around-the-world travel tickets as prizes for certified Passport to the World participants
- ✓The Nation's Representing City tourism booth inside the national pavilion
How the Five Events Connect to National Participation
Passport to the World
Activated by the selected city. Provides the cultural travel experience and measurable engagement data.
Conference at the UN
Nation's Honorary Co-Chair, Speaker, and/or Souvenirs Table.
Star of Harmony Awards
Up to five Star of Harmony nominations per nation.
Flag Presentation
Diplomat presents the nation's flag during the Parade.
Parade
National contingent, Country Star moments, and the closing flag procession.
From National City Selection to Local Celebration
The Nation's Representing City may participate in NYC — and may also activate its own Cultures Celebration at home.
The Nation's Representing City may participate in New York City and may also develop its own National City Cultures Celebration at home. This helps the city educate its local population, activate tourism, engage merchants, build sponsors, involve schools and cultural institutions, and prepare a stronger national presentation for the International Cultures Celebration in New York City.
For Ambassadors, Permanent Missions to the United Nations, Consuls General in New York City, Cultural Attachés, Business Attachés, Commercial Attachés, Tourism Attachés, Trade Commissioners, Economic Development Officers, tourism boards, chambers of commerce, cultural institutes, and national representatives in New York City, the International Cultures Celebration provides a structured platform for cultural diplomacy, national pavilion participation, diaspora engagement, tourism and trade promotion, and measurable public participation. One application covers the Nation's Representing City, Conference at the UN, Star of Harmony nominations, Country Star, flag ceremony, around-the-world travel tickets, Tourism Board support, and Passport to the World activation.
Indigenous, Native & Ancestral Communities. The Celebration recognizes that many nations are home to multiple Indigenous, native, ancestral, regional, linguistic, and cultural communities. Participation honors not only national identity, but also the living cultures, languages, histories, knowledge systems, and contributions of Indigenous peoples, Native American communities, tribal nations, ancestral cultural communities, first peoples, and native peoples from cultures around the world — as living communities, not as folklore. National Participation should reflect not only the official national identity, but also the Indigenous, native, and ancestral communities that make up the nation's living cultural fabric.
Schools, Universities & Cultural Departments. For elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, secondary education institutions, colleges, universities, cultural departments, language departments, student organizations, professors, and teachers, the International Cultures Celebration offers a living public classroom where students can experience world cultures, Indigenous traditions, immigrant communities, national pavilions, cultural diplomacy, tourism, language, food, performance, history, and intercultural dialogue — in New York City and through future National City Cultures Celebrations. University cultural departments and programs focused on Spanish, Latin American, Muslim, Islamic, Arab, Middle Eastern, African, Asian, Caribbean, Indigenous, European, and other world cultures are warmly invited to participate.
Foreign Residents & Native-Born Cultural Learners. The Celebration also welcomes foreign residents living away from their native land and native-born residents who want to learn about foreign cultures, understand their neighbors, reduce prejudice, and participate in a more informed multicultural society.
National Participation — Frequently Asked Questions
Why does each nation select one city?
One representing city per nation per year keeps the focus serious, the production cost shared, and the spotlight strong. The selected city is the Nation's Representing City — the face of the nation in NYC during the Celebration.
Who decides which city represents the nation?
The nation decides — through its government, ministry, consulate, tourism authority, diaspora, civic, and cultural networks. The International Cultures Celebration provides the application framework and supports the national selection process; it does not select cities for nations.
Are Tourism Boards a separate application?
No. Tourism Boards are part of the National Participation Application as support partners. There is no separate Tourism Board application.
Is Country Star a separate application?
No. Country Star participation is included inside the National Participation Application.
Are around-the-world travel prizes required?
Yes. As part of National City Showcase participation, each Nation's Representing City provides two around-the-world travel tickets as prizes for certified Passport to the World traveler participants who complete qualifying pavilion visits. This creates excitement for visitors, increases participation at national pavilions, and gives the Nation's Representing City a powerful promotional tool. Cities may fulfill this through tourism boards, airlines, sponsors, hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, chambers of commerce, or national partners.
How does the Conference, Awards Dinner, Flag Ceremony, Parade, and Passport to the World connect?
They are the five coordinated events of the Celebration. National participation in any one of them flows through the National Participation Application — including Conference participation (Honorary Co-Chair, Speaker, Souvenirs Table), Star of Harmony Awards nominations, Parade contingent, flag ceremony, Country Star, Tourism Board, and Passport to the World activation.