Bhopal, Aug 4 (PTI) A four-day conference of the Culture Working Group and Culture Ministers of the BRICS countries will begin in Bhopal from August 5, in which a wide range of cultural topics will be discussed with special emphasis on promoting cooperation in the sector among the member countries.
Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Culture, told reporters, “This event will promote cultural dialogue, strengthen cooperation among BRICS member countries, and showcase India’s rich cultural heritage, artistic traditions, and civilisational legacy.” Culture ministers, deputy ministers and senior officials from BRICS member countries are participating in the summit, he said.
The grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa was originally known as BRICS, but over time it has expanded and now includes several other countries, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. India is chairing BRICS this year.
During the event, which will continue till August 8, a two-day BRICS Cultural Festival will be held on August 6 and 7, where artists from the member countries will perform at Ravindra Bhavan.
Aggarwal said that as part of the programme, delegations will visit the Tribal Museum, State Museum, Van Vihar, and Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, as well as the World Heritage Sites of Sanchi and Bhimbetka.
He said that the first two days of the meeting will be devoted to detailed discussions on policy frameworks and various topics at the official level, and the next two days will be devoted to discussions at the level of Culture Ministers and Deputy Ministers to reach a final consensus, followed by the formal endorsement of the declaration by all countries.
Aggarwal said that India has presented two major, far-reaching proposals to promote sustained and institutionalised cooperation among BRICS countries.
India has proposed the development of a “Common BRICS Digital Platform”, which will house a directory of artists, information on creative industries, and integrated documentation of manuscripts and architectural heritage, he said.
India has also taken the initiative to promote joint or multinational nominations to UNESCO.
Under the current system, each country can submit only one national nomination per year. In this context, ‘Project Monsoon’, a collaboration with other countries, will bring global recognition to the Buddhist tradition and shared temple architecture of Southeast Asian countries, Aggarwal said.
He said that special dishes have been arranged to give the delegates an experience of Madhya Pradesh’s rich cuisine and unique flavors, including traditional dal bafla, nimona, rikmach, guiya ki sabji, Chambal thopa, chandia, bada, and healthy millet-based kodo and kutki.
This conference is a unique opportunity to showcase India’s cultural diversity, civilisational heritage, artistic excellence, and commitment to international cultural cooperation, he added. PTI MAS NP
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