In celebration of World Art Day, Paris hosted an international gathering that reaffirmed the essential role of art as a tool for healing, social inclusion, and the promotion of a culture of peace.
On the occasion of World Art Day, the 2025 edition of the Art Day Forum was held on April 23 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, bringing together artists, healthcare professionals, activists, and representatives of international organizations to reflect on the transformative power of the arts.
Under the direction of Dr. Guila Clara Kessous — UNESCO Artist for Peace, Ambassador for Peace, and Director of the Femina Vox International Forum — the event was organized under the High Patronage of the French National Commission for UNESCO.
With the theme « Art & Human Dignity: Human Rights and Healing Arts for a Culture of Peace, » the forum shed light on the role of artistic expression as a bridge between cultures, languages, ideologies, and geographies — and, above all, as a vital force in promoting health, human rights, and education for peace.
The event featured three high-level roundtables, addressing the following themes: Art & Care; Art, Human Rights & Social Health; and Art & Education for Peace.
During the first roundtable, healthcare professionals shared moving accounts of how art has been integrated into the healing process.
Participants included Isabelle Wachsmuth from the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Claire Georges-Tarragano from Saint Louis Hospital, and clinical psychologist Laure Mayoud.
In her speech, Wachsmuth emphasized:
« I would like to highlight the urgent need for a global and holistic approach to healthcare — one that includes art and creativity as essential components. »
One of the most touching moments of the event was a performance by award-winning Canadian singer Natasha Saint-Pier, who shared a personal story of reconnecting with the true meaning of care:
« I discovered that music could heal me. I once wanted to be a nurse, and at a certain point in my career, I thought I had lost my vocation by becoming a singer. I stopped singing for a year and finally realized that my true desire was to offer something to people — perhaps I wasn’t healing bodies, but I was healing hearts and souls. »
Natasha moved the audience as she performed alongside Dr. Guila Clara Kessous on stage, and later took part in the second roundtable with UNESCO specialist Aishwarya Sehgal, discussing « artivism » — the fusion of art and activism in contexts of social tension and transformation.
The third roundtable brought together influential voices from the media and international engagement: Alma Rota, editor at Rolling Stone Magazine France; Sarah Noble from Caux Initiatives of Change; and Mayiha Ta Nguidjoe Nyemek, leader of the « Voices Without Borders » choir.
In an interview with Destake News Business, Mayiha stated:
« Today we celebrate art and music. Music saves lives. It is a channel for healing, for intergenerational dialogue, for peace. »
Dr. Guila Clara Kessous also gave an interview to Destake News Business, explaining how art can promote diversity and cultural inclusion:
« Art allows individuals from different backgrounds to share their unique stories. It is a universal language that transcends linguistic and social barriers, strengthening the social fabric through empathy and recognition. »
Dr. Kessous further emphasized that art not only connects cultures but also provides a vital space for emotional expression, especially for marginalized or vulnerable individuals. She explained:
« Through art therapy, the creative process becomes a path to healing. It helps individuals explore their feelings, reconcile internal conflicts, and find healthy ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and trauma. »
According to the specialist, cultural initiatives that encourage active participation from different communities are essential to building more inclusive and resilient societies:
« When we support the diversity of artistic expressions, we give voice to narratives that have often been silenced. Celebrating these voices is celebrating the richness of human experience, » she stated.
Among the artistic performances, highlights included: the Renanim Paris Kolot Choir, presenting an intercultural repertoire; a visual performance by Isabelle Wachsmuth with the group Elles Dansent, composed of cancer patients; the choreography La Loïe Fuller interpreted by Bérénice Pretat; and Brazilian singer Anna Torres, who closed the event representing Brazil.
This gathering aimed to bring together more than 20 women’s associations, including the group Entre Mulheres Empreendedoras, with Fernanda Afonso leading event logistics and coordinating the team of volunteers.
The representative of CAESE|CEAEDD, Dr. Mara Rute Hercelin, closed the event with a moving reflection inspired by The Little Prince, highlighting how Dr. Guila Kessous has captivated an ever-growing number of people toward the great transformation that art can foster in the name of peace.
