UNESCO International Jazz Day – April 30
The Finnish Jazz Federation invites everyone to join in celebrating UNESCO’s International Jazz Day and to take part in the Jazz Day campaign! In this article, you’ll find the 2025 social media materials, instructions, and background information on Jazz Day.
The Finnish Jazz Federation encourages everyone involved in jazz or interested in the genre to celebrate International Jazz Day through events both big and small, or simply by showing appreciation for jazz. In 2025, the campaign aims to raise awareness about this special day and promote jazz as a symbol of peace, intercultural dialogue, equality, and human rights. In Finland, the festivities seamlessly merge with the traditional May Day (Vappu) celebrations.
This year’s campaign ambassadors are vocalist Johanna Iivanainen and trumpeter Jukka Eskola. The campaign hashtags are: #jazzpäivä #jazzday
You can join the campaign by organizing your own event or sharing jazz-themed content on social media. See below for more detailed instructions and image materials.
Organize an Event on International Jazz Day
Celebrate International Jazz Day by hosting your own event! If you’re planning a concert or other jazz-related program on April 30 or during the week leading up to it (from Monday, April 21 onwards), please inform the Jazz Federation by emailing: maura.manninen@jazzfinland.fi. We will highlight local events on our campaign channels.
Here are just a few examples of how you can participate:
- Host a concert, jam session, or jazz lecture
- Organize a jazz-themed Vappu pop-up or parade
- Dedicate your club’s weekly program to International Jazz Day
Register your event on the official International Jazz Day website
To help spread the word internationally, make sure to register your event on UNESCO’s International Jazz Day website. The global organizers will feature selected events on their official platforms.
Here’s how to register your event:
- Sign up via the form at: jazzday.com/register
- Follow IJD on Facebook, Instagram, and X, and subscribe to their newsletter
- Join the global conversation using the hashtags: #jazzpäivä #jazzdag #JazzDay
Share Jazz-Themed Posts
#jazzpäivä #jazzday #jazzdag
On April 30, post jazz-related content on your social media accounts. Use the official hashtags so that we can share your posts on the Jazz Federation’s channels throughout the day.
Anyone can join in the celebration of International Jazz Day, and the ways to express your love for jazz are endless. Here are just a few ideas for April 30:
- Share your favorite jazz memory
- Post a clip from your practice session or music lesson
- Host a listening session or share your favorite jazz record
Images
Feel free to use the Jazz Day campaign visuals in your social media or other publicity:
Suggested Text for Event Descriptions
You may use the following in your event press releases:
Happy UNESCO International Jazz Day – April 30!
In 2011, UNESCO designated April 30 as International Jazz Day, recognizing jazz as an official art form that promotes peace, intercultural dialogue, diversity, and respect for human rights and dignity.
In 2025, the Finnish Jazz Federation’s Jazz Day campaign is fronted by vocalist Johanna Iivanainen and trumpeter Jukka Eskola.
“Jazz is all about deep interaction, collaboration, and individual freedom. It’s about embracing new encounters and moments where presence and mutual respect form the anchor. From that comes peace and love,” says Iivanainen, describing the essence of jazz.
“Jazz is a celebration of freedom, rhythm, and emotion. It lives in the moment, surprises, and sweeps you along. Jazz knows no boundaries — there is no right or wrong, only openness and acceptance,” says Eskola.
Let the music of Jazz Day be heard!
#jazzpäivä #jazzday
What Is International Jazz Day?
In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated April 30 as International Jazz Day to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role in uniting people around the world. For over a decade, jazz has been recognized as a powerful art form that fosters peace, intercultural dialogue, diversity, and the promotion of human rights and dignity.
International Jazz Day brings together musicians, audiences, scholars, and communities from all over the world to learn about jazz’s roots and celebrate its future.
The global initiative is led by legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Chair of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.
Find more about global Jazz Day celebrations at: www.jazzday.com