The ninth Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Culture was held during the X St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum. Representatives from Russia, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, and the recently joined members Egypt, Iran, the UAE, and Ethiopia participated.
"Our gathering today is symbolic: for the first time, we meet in an expanded format. BRICS is an open club of like-minded individuals uniting some of the world's largest political, economic, and cultural centers. It is also a true family, and I am honored to welcome its new members to the annual BRICS Ministers of Culture Meeting," said the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Olga Lyubimova, opening the meeting.
The creation of BRICS alliances has been a unique mechanism of cultural cooperation among BRICS representatives. There are four alliances: the Museum Alliance, the Library Alliance, the Art Museum and National Galleries Alliance, and the Children's and Youth Theater Alliance.
The head of Russia’s Ministry of Culture proposed creating two more associations: the BRICS Folk Dance Culture Alliance and the BRICS Association of Film Schools. The first aims to unite leading creative teams and educational organizations specializing in national dance to share experiences, introduce creative youth to one another, create joint projects, and hold festivals.
The second project, planned in cooperation with the All-Russian State University of Cinematography, named after S.A. Gerasimov, would serve as a basis for cultural communication in cinema education and help develop cinematic connections between young professionals. The Minister noted that the initiative could include an annual BRICS student film festival, a joint summer film school, scientific conferences, and other events.
Olga Lyubimova also informed her colleagues about a Russian initiative to create a Eurasian Academy of Cinematic Arts and to establish an Open Eurasian Film Award. This initiative would be founded on high artistic quality, respect for national interests, and a deep regard for historical heritage and religious denominations.
"We are counting on the participation of BRICS countries in this initiative, with their rich cinematic traditions and rapidly developing film industries," she added.
The Minister also praised the 8th BRICS Film Festival, held in April, as part of the 46th Moscow International Film Festival.
"Joint cultural events are always an opportunity to showcase the closeness of different nations' cultures, their inexhaustible potential, and their desire for mutual enrichment," noted Russia's Ministry of Culture head. "It is particularly gratifying that we have revived the BRICS Culture Festival."
That evening, a gala concert took place on the stage of the Alexandrinsky Theater, offering the audience a musical journey through the countries of the BRICS association.
In her speech, Margareth Menezes, the Minister of Culture of Brazil, emphasized that culture plays a fundamental role in sustainable development.
According to Lu Yingchuan, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, the current meeting demonstrates the strength of solidarity among the BRICS countries.
Egypt’s Minister of Culture, Ahmed Fouad Hanno, proposed exploring new ideas and projects for the future.
Kefale Abdissa Adula, a representative from the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Ethiopia, mentioned that BRICS's work is focused on strengthening the positions of national cultures.
Arunish Chawla, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture of India, highlighted that promoting creative industries would foster global interaction.
Kazem Jalali, Iran's Ambassador to the Russian Federation, noted that recent changes over the past decades have shaped a new vision of the factors influencing international relations: alongside political, military, and economic power, culture has emerged as a significant factor.
Gayton McKenzie, South Africa's Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, spoke about the cultural observatory in his country, which studies all aspects of cultural and creative industries to identify emerging trends.
Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture of the United Arab Emirates, underscored the importance of protecting cultural heritage from the effects of climate change.
The meeting's honorary guests included Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation, and Yulia Kupina, Director of the Russian Ethnographic Museum, where the meeting was held.
After the event, a BRICS Ministers of Culture Declaration was signed, outlining the key initiatives and plans for the near future.
"I am convinced that the successful implementation of the stated goals, as well as the continued development of contacts at the state level and between our cultural institutions, will enable us to bring a variety of joint projects to life and delight the people of the BRICS countries with bright cultural events," summarized Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation.