3 weeks ago
BRICS Culture Working Group Meeting Opens in Bhopal, India
Leaders from a group of countries called BRICS came together in Bhopal, a city in India.
They are meeting for four days to talk about culture — things like art, music, dances, old buildings and traditions.
The group wants to protect shared heritage so important places and customs are not forgotten.
They also want to support creative people like artists, craftspeople and designers.
During the meeting, India opened three special exhibitions for the visitors.
One exhibition is about the ocean and how countries connected by the Indian Ocean shared their cultures over more than two thousand years.
Another shows India's old links with other parts of Asia through buildings, manuscripts and art.
The third exhibition shows ancient handwritten books that are being saved and copied using computers and artificial intelligence.
The guests also visited a museum of folk and tribal traditions and watched Kathak dancing and folk songs from Nagaland.
The exhibitions will be open to the public on August 7 and 9.
The four-day BRICS Culture Working Group meeting began in Bhopal on August 5 at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre.
Delegations from India, Brazil, China, South Africa, the UAE, Indonesia, Iran, Russia and Ethiopia attended in person, while Egypt joined via hybrid mode.
Discussions focused on the creative economy, cultural and creative industries, preservation of cultural heritage and culture-led sustainable development.
Three exhibitions — Project Mausam, Brihattar Bharat and Gyan Bharatam — showcased India's maritime heritage, cultural links and manuscript preservation efforts.
Delegates visited the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya and watched Kathak performances and Nagaland folk songs; the exhibitions open to the public on August 7 and 9.
- Who
- Delegations from India, Brazil, China, South Africa, the UAE, Indonesia, Iran, Russia and Ethiopia (in person), Egypt (hybrid), chaired by Union Culture Secretary Vivek Agrawal.
- What
- The BRICS Culture Working Group meeting, featuring thematic exhibitions and cultural showcases aimed at strengthening cultural cooperation.
- Where
- Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
- When
- August 5 to 8, beginning Wednesday, August 5.
- Why
- To strengthen cultural cooperation, preserve shared heritage and promote the creative economy ahead of the BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting.
Key facts
- Event
- BRICS Culture Working Group Meeting
- Dates
- August 5-8 (four days)
- Venue
- Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre, Bhopal
- In-person delegations
- India, Brazil, China, South Africa, UAE, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Ethiopia
- Hybrid participant
- Egypt
- Chair
- Vivek Agrawal, Union Culture Secretary
- Exhibitions
- Project Mausam, Brihattar Bharat, Gyan Bharatam (1.19 crore+ manuscripts documented)
- Public viewing
- August 7 and 9
Quotes
Vivek Agrawal
Union Culture Secretary and Chair of the BRICS Culture Working Group
“culture was not merely a legacy of the past but a driving force for innovation, resilience, inclusive growth and stronger people‑to‑people ties”
thehansindia.com






