Under India’s BRICS Chairship, a series of cultural engagements and deliberations are underway in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, beginning with the 3rd BRICS Culture Working Group Meeting held on 5 August 2026 and culminating with the BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting on 8 August 2026. The ongoing engagements bring together representatives of BRICS nations for discussions on strengthening cultural cooperation and advancing shared priorities in the field of culture.
Following the inaugural session of the 3rd BRICS Culture Working Group Meeting, delegates from participating BRICS countries took part in discussions and a range of cultural engagements designed to facilitate the exchange of experiences and perspectives on cultural cooperation. The deliberations focused on areas of shared interest, including the creative economy, cultural heritage and traditional knowledge systems, providing an opportunity for participating countries to explore avenues for greater collaboration.
The programme also offered delegates an opportunity to experience India’s rich civilisational and cultural heritage through specially curated exhibitions. Exhibitions on Gyan Bharatam (curated by Gyan Bharatam Mission), Project Mausam (curated by the Archaeological Survey of India), and Brihattar Bharat (curated by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts) provided insights into India’s manuscript traditions, knowledge systems, maritime connections and historical cultural interactions with different regions of the world.
The delegates also visited the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) in Bhopal, experiencing India’s cultural diversity through its open-air museum, traditional dwellings and living heritage traditions. The visit featured cultural presentations, including Kathak and traditional community dance performances, offering the delegations a glimpse into India’s diverse performing arts traditions.
As part of the programme, delegates were introduced to the cultural heritage of Madhya Pradesh through visits to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Sanchi and Bhimbetka. These visits highlight India’s rich Buddhist heritage, prehistoric rock art and the continuity of its civilisational traditions.
Additionally, the cultural engagements had the BRICS Cultural Festival, “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah – Harmony for All,” at Ravindra Bhawan, Bhopal, featuring performances by artists from participating BRICS countries. The festival provided a platform for cultural exchange and celebrated the diverse artistic traditions represented within the BRICS grouping.
Belarus enthralled the audience with traditional folk songs and comic dances, Brazil showcased the dynamic art of Capoeira, Indonesia presented the graceful Pushpanjali, Russia mesmerised with a performance by a quartet of distinguished soloists, and the United Arab Emirates was represented by acclaimed Emirati musician Mr. Saif AlAli, whose performance reflected the richness of Emirati and Arab musical traditions.
As the host nation, India captivated the audience with “Maru Rang - The Heritage of Rajasthan,” featuring the vibrant folk traditions of Rajasthan through spectacular performances of Ghoomar, Chari, Kalbelia, and Bhawai, celebrating India’s rich and living cultural heritage.
The ongoing engagements in Bhopal underscore the importance of culture as a means of fostering dialogue, mutual understanding and people-to-people connections among BRICS nations. Through deliberations, cultural exchanges and shared experiences, India’s BRICS Chairship continues to advance cultural cooperation as an important pillar of international partnership and sustainable development.
