The life and works of William Shakespeare will be celebrated across the world in 2016 to mark the 400th anniversary of the writer’s death.

The British Council is drawing up plans for a global programme of events that will recognise Shakespeare as a ‘living writer’ who speaks for all humanity and nations.

Billed as Britain’s ‘next Olympic moment’, there will be funding for touring theatre productions, an international festival of Shakespeare in music and on film and a mass-participation global digital project.

The 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death is the biggest opportunity to put UK culture on the world stage since London 2012

There will also be increased resources for teaching of the Bard’s works, as well as collaborations between writers and translators on Shakespeare-related themes.

Activities will explore how the playwright from Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, came to be enjoyed all over the world, and how his work influenced the development of language.

The announcement was timed to coincide with what would have been Shakespeare’s 450th birthday yesterday.

Sir Martin Davidson, chief executive of the British Council, said: “The 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death is the biggest opportunity to put UK culture on the world stage since London 2012.

“As the most widely read and studied author in the English language, Shakespeare provides an important connection to the UK for millions of people around the world, and the world will be looking to celebrate this anniversary with the UK.

“We hope that the UK’s cultural organis-ations will come together to meet these expectations and ensure that 2016 is our next Olympic moment.”

Graham Sheffield, director of arts at the British Council, added: “We’re developing plans for the British Council’s most ambitious arts and education programme. We’ll explore how the work of one English writer travelled the world, inspired artistes in every medium and is now enjoyed in over 80 languages.”

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