MP: Bhopal to host BRICS culture ministers' meet from Aug 5
Bhopal, Aug 4
Bhopal will host the third BRICS Culture Working Group meeting and the BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting from August 5 to 8, with delegates from BRICS member and partner countries set to discuss cultural cooperation, heritage conservation, museums, cultural industries and people‑to‑people exchanges.
The meeting, organised under India's BRICS presidency by the Union Ministry of Culture in association with the Madhya Pradesh government, will conclude on August 8 with the adoption of the BRICS Culture Ministers' Declaration, outlining the future roadmap for cultural cooperation.
Union Culture Secretary Vivek Agrawal said delegations would begin arriving on Wednesday. The first day will be dedicated to registration, accreditation, bilateral meetings and visits to exhibitions before formal sessions begin. Delegates will also visit the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya to witness demonstrations of traditional crafts and tribal culture, followed by a cultural programme.
Three exhibitions, Gyan Bharatam, Project Mausam and Project Brihattar Bharat, will open at the Kushabhau Thakre Convention Centre (Minto Hall) on August 5 and remain open to the public during the conference. Agrawal said the exhibitions would showcase India's manuscript heritage, maritime links and civilisational connections.
The Culture Working Group will meet on August 6 to discuss the draft declaration and cooperation in areas such as cultural heritage, museums, cultural industries, capacity building and exchanges. Recommendations will be placed before the Culture Ministers on August 8.
The conference will also feature the BRICS Cultural Festival, with the "BRICS Peace Song - Peace is the Language of the Land" and "Amritasya Madhya Pradesh", a presentation by more than 125 artists showcasing the state's heritage.
Madhya Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary (Culture) Shiv Shekhar Shukla said all arrangements had been completed and the event would also showcase the state's cultural heritage and tourism potential. After the ministerial meeting, delegates will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sanchi on August 8, with an optional visit to Bhimbetka Rock Shelters planned for August 9.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Glad to see the focus on cultural heritage and museums. BRICS is not just about economy—it's a great platform for people-to-people connections too. The exhibitions highlighting India's maritime and civilisational links sound fascinating.
It's good that cultural diplomacy is being given such importance. I just hope the outcomes of these meetings aren't just symbolic—there needs to be concrete action on preserving shared heritage and supporting cultural industries.
Ekdam badhiya! Imagine—125+ artists performing in Bhopal. This is big for local tourism too. Hopefully, the city gets better infrastructure as a result of all this international attention. 💃
Excellent initiative! The idea of showcasing traditional crafts and tribal culture, along with the UNESCO heritage sites, is a great soft power move. I hope the delegates get a truly authentic experience of India's diversity.
All this is great publicity, but I can't help wondering about the actual implementation. Past BRICS declarations have often remained on paper. I hope this conference results in tangible collaborations, not just photo ops. 🤔
Bhopal to the world! 🎉 Finally, our state's cultural treasures like Sanchi and Bhimbetka are
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