Washington, D.C. is known for its historic monuments and political landmarks, but once a year, the city transforms into a vibrant global village during the Passport DC Around the World Embassy Tour organized by Events DC. The event held on Saturday offered thousands of residents and visitors a unique opportunity to experience diverse cultures from around the globe without leaving the nation’s capital, through a series of open house events at various embassies.
Over 55 embassies, including those of Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, the UK, Uzbekistan, Peru, Chile, Rwanda, Australia, and many more, participated in the “Around the World Embassy Tour.” Visitors were welcomed to explore these embassies through exquisite art, music performances, traditional dance displays, interactive workshops, and authentic cuisine.
#PassportDC's Embassy World Tour is finally here!
— British Embassy Washington (@UKinUSA) May 4, 2024
Stop by for amazing activations by @Airbnb, @VisitBritain, @BABADC, Hillhouse Morgan and more! pic.twitter.com/bwHlvuKjj3
The excitement was palpable as participants embarked on a cultural journey, exploring the embassies of Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, Uzbekistan, Mexico, Rwanda, Kosovo, Burundi, China, Trinidad & Tobago, Pakistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Chile and Peru, just to mention a few.
The surprises were plentiful. The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia delighted crowds with an unexpected sight—camels! Yes, camels right in Washington, D.C., adding a touch of Arabian flair to the event.
🚨 Camels in Washington, DC!
— Events DC (@TheEventsDC) May 5, 2024
The Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia surprised crowds with camels 😱🐪 #PassportDC pic.twitter.com/5odAr0BO6b
Meanwhile, the Embassy of Bolivia brought the rhythm of South America to the streets with lively dance performances that captivated onlookers.
Bolivia brought the dancin’ to the streets 🇧🇴💃
— Events DC (@TheEventsDC) May 4, 2024
📍Embassy of Bolivia pic.twitter.com/kcXDAtTjWI
The Chinese Embassy had a remarkable turnout, welcoming nearly 6,000 visitors who actively participated in experiencing Chinese culture. Visitors engaged in various activities like trying on a Fujian-style floral headdress, learning glove puppetry, practicing Chinese calligraphy, and enjoying traditional Chinese tea.
We were most honored to have hosted nearly 6,000 American friends at our Embassy Open House today! It's so heartwarming to see they engaged enthusiastically in Chinese culture, from wearing a Fujian-style floral headdress to learning to handle a glove puppet, trying their hand at… pic.twitter.com/cpKr8H0S8v
— Xie Feng 谢锋 (@AmbXieFeng) May 5, 2024
At the Embassy of Uzbekistan, visitors were treated to a sensory experience with vibrant dance displays, exquisite handicrafts, and the mouthwatering aroma of authentic Uzbek cuisine, including their national dish, plov.
Celebrate Uzbek culture at Passport DC!
— Furqat Sidiqov (@FurqatSidiq) May 4, 2024
Just opened doors of the Embassy of Uzbekistan for the "Around the World Embassy Tour." Experience the rich traditions with vibrant dance performances, exquisite handicraft displays, and delicious Uzbek cuisine. pic.twitter.com/jZSHBmzdR1
Celebrate Uzbek culture at Passport DC!
— The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington, D.C. (@UZEmbassyDC) May 4, 2024
Just opened doors of the Embassy of Uzbekistan for the "Around the World Embassy Tour." Experience the rich traditions with vibrant dance performances, exquisite handicraft displays, and delicious Uzbek cuisine. pic.twitter.com/Xr8IsBGMsa
Plov is almost ready! 🎉🍚 Join us at the Embassy of Uzbekistan this lunchtime for a true taste of Uzbek culture. Our authentic plov, made with rice specially imported from Uzbekistan, awaits you. Experience the warmth of Uzbek hospitality through our national dish. #PassportDC pic.twitter.com/SiDxXGLYeC
— The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington, D.C. (@UZEmbassyDC) May 4, 2024
Nearby, the Embassy of Mexico welcomed guests with open arms, inviting them to savor the flavors of Mexican culture until late afternoon.
#PassportDC2024
— Mexican Cultural Institute DC (@MexCultureDC) May 4, 2024
Mexico welcomes you! 🇲🇽 ✈️🌎
We're beyond happy to be part of #PassportDC Around The World Embassy Tour once again! We are open until 4PM 🕓 pic.twitter.com/3qESqo0Myo
The spirit of cultural exchange continued at each embassy, with representatives showcasing their country’s unique heritage through art, music, dance, and cuisine. From Rwanda’s arts and crafts to Pakistan’s culinary delights and Thailand’s festive atmosphere, each stop offered a new perspective and appreciation for global diversity.
The Embassy of Pakistan was buzzing with excitement during “Around the World Embassy Tour” in DC! 🎶🍛 Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Pakistani culture with us. Such a massive turnout & amazing cultural experience! @TheEventsDC @Masood__Khan #PakAtPassportDC 1/2 pic.twitter.com/jiJBAwon97
— Pakistan Embassy US (@PakinUSA) May 4, 2024
#PassportDC #Pakistan #USA pic.twitter.com/kGrKyBB5ow
— Pakistan Embassy US (@PakinUSA) May 5, 2024
Mood at the Embassy now! We're showcasing #Rwanda’s culture and what we have to offer through arts & crafts, culinary delights, dance and coffee!
— Rwanda in USA (@RwandaInUSA) May 4, 2024
We're open to the public until 4:30 pm.#PassportDC2024 #PassportDC @TheEventsDC https://t.co/mGJR778pYb pic.twitter.com/iP5tTqSocz
State Kimberly Bassett and PR Expert, Jan DuPlain were spotted enjoying the festivities at the Thai Embassy.
Secretary of State @KimberlyBassett and @JanDuPlain stop by the Thai Embassy to enjoy the festivities during #PassportDC! 🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/92W8GFBHqr
— Jan Du Plain 🌎🌍🌏 (@JanDuPlain) May 4, 2024
Other Embassies
Thankful to the hundreds of visitors who honored the 🇽🇰 Embassy during this year's Around the World Embassy Tour. 🌎
— Embassy of Kosovo US (@KosovoinUS) May 5, 2024
It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase 🇽🇰 House in Washington D.C. 🇺🇸 and share the richness of Kosova's art, culture, traditions and cuisine with… pic.twitter.com/0CWSG817uy
Burundi is thrilled to take part in the Passport DC, Around the World Embassy Tour that is currently happening at the African Union in Washington, D.C. @eventdc #PassportDC pic.twitter.com/JXPSWekIVP
— Burundi Embassy in USA (@BurundiEmbUSA) May 4, 2024
Trinidad and Tobago
📍Trinidad & Tobago 🇹🇹#PassportDC #AWET2024@TheEventsDC #EmbassyOfTrinidadandTobago pic.twitter.com/PcYUcTKk3k
— Leanna Lakeram (@leannalakeram) May 5, 2024
#PassportDC @PeruInTheUSA Ambassador @alfredoferrerod welcomes you #MarcaPeru @marcaPERU @promperu ¡Still have some time to enjoy our culture, cuisine and #piscosour! pic.twitter.com/B83H7Oh4DE
— Embassy of Peru in the US (@PeruInTheUSA) May 4, 2024
#PassportDC los seguimos esperando 🇺🇸🇵🇪 ¡No se la pierdan! Don’t miss it! 🇵🇪🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ytrdiWJH2A
— Embassy of Peru in the US (@PeruInTheUSA) May 4, 2024
Kwa kushirikiana na programu ya Passport DC: Around the World Embassy Tour, tumefurahi kupokea wageni zaidi ya 1,000 Ubalozini leo ambao walikuja kujifunza na kuona vivutio vya Tanzania; utamaduni na ukarimu wa Tanzania, pamoja na fursa mbalimbali zinazopatikana Tanzania.… pic.twitter.com/jYDqH36VTs
— Tanzania Embassy | USA (@UbaloziUSA) May 5, 2024
Aussie Aussie Aussie! We brought out all our best for @TheEventsDC #PassportDC #AroundtheWorldEmbassyTour at our beautiful new 🇦🇺 Embassy: ANZAC biscuits, lamingtons, great Aussie wine, the 'Straya trailer, unique wildlife, mesmerizing didgeridoo & of course, Vegemite! pic.twitter.com/bqyCNzFkbx
— Australian Embassy, USA 🇦🇺🇺🇸 (@AusintheUS) May 5, 2024
A Sri Lankan drum-off yesterday?! 🥁😎
— Events DC (@TheEventsDC) May 5, 2024
📍 Embassy of Sri Lanka @EmbassyofSL pic.twitter.com/wlMSu6fqbR
1/2 Kenya Embassy in Washington D.C. yesterday, welcomed a huge crowd at a colorful Passport DC 2024 event. The Embassy was excited to be among the seven Embassies that were visited by the Passport DC team led by Ms. Jan Duplain. pic.twitter.com/cUwd44l0fJ
— Kenya Embassy D.C (@KenyaembassyDC) May 5, 2024
The Embassy participated in 'Passport DC Around the World Embassy Tour 2024', an annual cultural event hosted by D.C. Events on the 4th of May 2024 at University of District of Columbia (UDC) in Washington, D.C. pic.twitter.com/YTQNJ3sRTn
— Embassy of Nepal, Washington, D.C. (@nepalembassyusa) May 5, 2024
Nepali folk dance performances at the Passport DC 2024 pic.twitter.com/shtn2JbVNW
— Embassy of Nepal, Washington, D.C. (@nepalembassyusa) May 5, 2024
We were pleased to participate in the Around the World Embassy Tour at @IraqinUSA, showcasing the vibrant and diverse tapestry of Kurdish culture while connecting with the wonderful community in Washington. #PassportDC pic.twitter.com/Qy0X5Z0KPf
— KRG-USA (@KRG_USA) May 5, 2024
More than 5,113 visitors visited @IraqinUSA during the #PassportDC event @TheEventsDC, where visitors left with a rich experience that allowed them to delve into #Iraqi culture and get familiarized with the richness of our civilization pic.twitter.com/4YAxhLeP1G
— سفارة العراق – واشنطن| Iraqi Embassy in Washington (@IraqinUSA) May 5, 2024
Yesterday @UgaEmbaWashDC team promoted 🇺🇬 culture, music, fashion, food & omweso. They served coffee, tea, @UgandaWaragi & 'rolex.
— Amb. Robie Kakonge (@RobieKakonge_) May 5, 2024
This marked a 10 year partnership with #PassportDC's Around the World Embassy Tour.@udc_edu @dcmayorsoffice @UgandaMFA pic.twitter.com/XQIVzaSniS
📍Jamaica 🇯🇲#PassportDC #AWET2024@TheEventsDC @USEmbassyJA pic.twitter.com/wcRh1U7cDp
— Leanna Lakeram (@leannalakeram) May 5, 2024
The Passport DC Around the World Embassy Tour was not just an occasion to explore foreign cultures—it was a celebration of diplomacy, friendship, and community. As diplomats and visitors mingled, sharing stories and experiences, the event continues to show the importance of cross-cultural understanding and the beauty of our interconnected world.
Mark your calendars! The European Union and its embassies are warming up on Saturday, May 11, 2024 to open their doors to the public also for a day of culture, food, music, and more.
