The Dialogues of Civilizations (BRICS edition) were held at the Rio de Janeiro State University, Brazil, on June 27, local time, as a cultural prelude to the upcoming 17th BRICS summit. Over 300 guests, including governmental representatives, scholars, renowned athletes, and youths attended the event.
The event began with a performance by the Orquestra Forte de Copacabana, a youth orchestra from Rio de Janeiro, which played a selection of pop songs from the BRICS countries. The concert was accompanied by a fashion show, where five models walked in traditional xiangyunsha (gambriered Guangdong gauze) from China's Guangdong province.
"The cultural exchanges among BRICS countries are vivid examples of our common pursuit of development. As BRICS enters a new phase, it is crucial that we continue to foster these exchanges," a representative from China's State Council Information Office said in the opening remarks.
Tia Ju, Vice President of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro, emphasized culture's unifying power, calling it key to peace and prosperity. "In the face of global challenges like climate change, inequalities, and geopolitical tensions, BRICS countries must strengthen cooperation and serve as voices for the Global South," she said.
A special storytelling session featured discussions on cooperation across art, sport, medicine, and education, with speakers sharing success stories from within the BRICS framework.
Márcia Melchior, founder of the Orquestra Forte de Copacabana, shared the inspiring story of how the orchestra, which provides musical opportunities to disadvantaged children in Rio, was revived with support from Chinese enterprises after facing financial struggles.
The event also included a series of themed exhibitions highlighting the daily life and cultural heritage of BRICS nations. Among them was the ‘See You in Guangdong: Lingnan Cultural Innovation Exhibition,' which showcased a vibrant mix of art toys, building blocks, and Xiangyunsha (gambiered Guangdong gauze) that have reimagined traditional Lingnan culture from China's Guangdong Province through contemporary design.
For Gabriel Porto Póvoas, an international relations student, the exhibition revealed a shared appreciation for craftsmanship. "Chinese people's love for handcrafts reminds me of Brazil's indigenous traditions," he said. "Despite our differences, common values like this bring us together."
The BRICS is a group formed by eleven countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran. It serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries from the Global South and for coordination in the most diverse areas.
With the theme "Strengthening Cultural Ties Among BRICS Nations, Empowering a Brighter Future for the Global South," the event was co-hosted by the State Council Information Office of China and the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro. It was jointly organized by the China Intercontinental Communication Center, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), the Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province and Nanfang Media Group.
