6th April: International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
Two practitioners of Taekkyeon, a traditional Korean martial art
© 1998 by Cultural Heritage Administration
Tuesday 6th April marks the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, an occasion to explore the range of traditional sports and games inscribed on the lists of the 2003 Convention.
Sport can help promote fairness, teambuilding, equality, inclusion and perseverance. Moreover, sport and physical activity can also help us get through times of crisis by reducing anxieties, improving physical and mental health, and strengthening social ties.
The lists of the 2003 Convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage include many elements related to traditional sports and games and which are anchored in our daily lives and our feeling of belonging to a wider group.
Traditional sports in the Dive! constellation
© UNESCO
These elements related to traditional sports and games constitute one of the many illustrations of the entanglement of living heritage and sustainable development, particularly with good health and well-being (Sustainable Development Goal 3).
Join us in celebrating those traditions and in enjoying healthy practices !
#OnlyTogether, a United Nations’ online campaign organized for the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2021
© United Nations
We join the United Nations in promoting the #OnlyTogether campaign. Until Tuesday, 6 April, we ask you to share on your social media platforms a picture or video showing the value of sport in your life. We ask that you use the hashtags #OnlyTogether and #SportDay.
If you are ever in need of inspiration, browse through our photo gallery below !
- Entraînement de la yole martiniquaise, Le Robert Read more on the element
- © Martin Fichez, 2018
- Chen Peiju (right), a representative bearer of the Chen School Taijiquan, practices tuishou (hand-pushing skills) with her apprentice Read more on the element
- © Department of Culture and Tourism of Henan Province, China, 2019
- Escalade hivernale - bassin d’Argentière Read more on the element
- © Pascal Tournaire, 2018
- Movement of Silat by practitioners Read more on the element
- © Department of National Heritage, Malaysia, 2018
- Horseback Kabak shooting Read more on the element
- © Hayati Türkoğlu/MoCT, 2017
- Hurling Read more on the element
- © Paul Mohan, Sportsfile
- Every region has assimilated the Pencak Silat traditions with their local culture, such as types of accompaniment music along with the musical instrument, costumes, forms of oral tradition and expressions, weapons, etc. without removing the values of Pencak Silat. Read more on the element
- © Directorate Heritage and Cultural Diplomacy, Indonesia, 2017
- Chidaoba, wrestling in Georgia Read more on the element
- © President of Georgian National Wrestling Federation, 2017
- Horse and camel Ardhah Read more on the element
- © Mohammed Al Balushi, Oman, 2016
- Tha-mula bandha (nauli) with Tha-uddiyana bandha
Internal yogic locks (bandhas) have some structural functions, but primarily they are energetic in nature, and on a very tangible level they regulate the flow of blood through the body. Anatomically a bandha is the co-activation (simultaneous tensing) or opposing muscles around a joint complex. Read more on the element
- © Sangeet Natak Akademi, India, 2015
- Equitation in the French tradition Read more on the element
- © ENE/Alain Laurioux, 2009
- Capoeira circle Read more on the element
- © 2012 by TT Catalão / IPHAN
- Pahlevani and Zoorkhanei rituals Read more on the element
- © 2009- By Iranian Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization
- Naadam, Mongolian traditional festival Read more on the element
- © A. Duurenjargal, 2009
- Taekkyeon, a traditional Korean martial art Read more on the element
- © 1998 by Cultural Heritage Administration