CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Under India’s BRICS Presidency 2026, the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, organised the BRICS Cultural Festival 2026 at Ravindra Bhavan, Bhopal, on Thursday. Held on the second day of the third meeting of the BRICS Cultural Working Group, the festival featured artists from BRICS member and participating countries, who presented traditional cultural performances showcasing the rich cultural heritage of different nations and strengthening the spirit of cultural exchange and mutual cooperation.
The festival was based on the spirit of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah”, reflecting India’s civilisational philosophy of universal peace, harmony and collective well-being. In line with the theme of India’s BRICS Presidency 2026, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Continuity”, the event marked an important initiative towards strengthening cultural exchange among different countries and people-to-people ties.
The programme began with a cultural parade by the participating countries. Cultural delegations from Belarus, Brazil, Indonesia, the Russian Federation, the United Arab Emirates and host India took part, presenting a message of global unity and cultural harmony.
Artists from the Gennady Tsitovich National Academic Folk Choir of the Republic of Belarus presented traditional Belarusian folk songs and humorous folk dances.
Brazil presented the Afro-Brazilian cultural tradition of “Capoeira”. The performance showcased a unique blend of martial arts, dance, music and acrobatics. Artists from Indonesia presented the traditional Balinese welcome dance “Pushpanjali”. They also staged the famous Javanese dance-drama “The Legend of Roro Jonggrang”, inspired by the Prambanan temple.
Solo artists from the National Academic Folk Instruments Orchestra of Russia, Russian Federation, gave a musical performance on traditional Russian instruments such as the balalaika, bayan, alto domra and contrabass balalaika. Renowned musician Saif Al-Ali from the United Arab Emirates presented Emirati and Arab musical traditions with contemporary influences. India presented “Maru Rang – Rajasthan’s Heritage”, showcasing Rajasthan’s rich folk culture and cultural legacy through folk dances such as Ghoomar, Chari, Kalbelia and Bhavai.
The programme concluded with a grand finale, in which artists from all the countries came together on one stage and conveyed a message of cultural unity, mutual respect and global harmony. The occasion also underlined the commitment of BRICS countries to strengthening international cooperation through art and culture and further deepening people-to-people connections among different nations.
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