Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel hosts 6th BRICS Culture Ministers Meeting

Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel hosted 6th BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting on July 2, 2021 during the India’s BRICS Chairship in 2021 through video conference. The delegates from Culture Ministries of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa participated in the meeting. Discussion was held for advancement and expansion of cultural activities amongst BRICS countries under the theme Bonding and Harmonizing Cultural Synergy.

Minister of State for Culture addressed participants of the meeting and presented India’s perspective to strengthen the cultural cooperation within BRICS. Taking the cognizance of the Covid 19 conditions world has been facing for last one and half year, Hon’ble Minister showed his concerns for the adverse effects of the pandemic on all fields of life including the cultural dimension. He commended the use of digital techniques and its acceptability in the prevailing conditions. He emphasized on collaborations in the field of online exchange of cultural experiences on knowledge of tangible and intangible heritage amongst BRICS countries. He highlighted the importance of the role of culture for establishing vibrant international humanitarian dialogue. He appreciated the efforts of cultural organizations of BRICS countries for conducting online cultural activities in the fields of museums, arts, theatres etc.

With the intent of utilizing the invaluable treasure of information contained in our manuscripts, Hon’ble Minister proposed for formation of BRICS Alliance in the field of conservation, preservation and digitization of ancient manuscripts. He further highlighted the need to protect our tangible and intangible cultural heritage through mutual help and support within the BRICS framework in addition to the compliance of prevailing UNESCO Conventions. He also shared the historic occasion of commencement of celebrations of 75 years of India’s freedom which commenced in March 2021 under the aegis of ‘Azadi ka Amrut Festival Programme’.

He also mentioned the aptness of India’s theme for BRICS Chairship “BRICS@15: Intra-BRICS cooperation for continuity, consolidation and consciousness in context of promotion of BRICS cultural cooperation. During the meeting the Declaration was agreed upon to strengthen and enhance cultural cooperation amongst BRICS Nations in the fields of museums, art galleries, theatre, libraries and promote use of modern technologies to conduct online events to overcome the adverse effects of pandemic like situations. At the end of the meeting the Declaration of the VI Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Culture was signed by all the representatives of Member States.