BRICS Day Was Held at the BRICS+ Information and Cultural Centre
On June 16, the BRICS+ Information and Cultural Centre hosted BRICS Day—a major cultural and expert event organised with the participation of TV BRICS International Media Network and the Russian National Public Library for Science and Technology. This special event marked the anniversary of the First BRICS Summit, held on June 16–17, 2009 in Yekaterinburg, where the foundation for the group's partnership was laid.
The BRICS Day programme featured vibrant performances showcasing the cultures, literature, and music of member nations. Additionally, the event included an expert round table titled "BRICS Dialogue: Multilateral Cooperation as the Foundation of a Multipolar World."
Among the participants were prominent figures such as Sergey Ryabkov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Pavel Shevtsov, Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, and Grigory Zaslavsky, Rector of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts GITIS, alongside experts from leading cultural and educational institutions focusing on BRICS studies. Participants explored the shared cultural codes and perspectives among the BRICS nations, highlighting the crucial role of dialogue in strengthening international cooperation.
Marina Zakharenko, Director General of the Library for Foreign Literature, opened the event, stressing the significance of such initiatives in bolstering humanitarian ties among member countries and fostering trust and understanding: "This event holds great importance for us. It is a tremendous honour to welcome our guests and engage in discussions on pivotal topics that contribute significantly to shaping a multipolar world and strengthening cross-cultural dialogue," she stated.
Sergey Ryabkov, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation and Russian BRICS Sherpa, underscored profound shifts in international relations, stressing how groups like BRICS are forging a new global framework.
"Over the past 16 years, we have witnessed tectonic shifts in international relations, influencing every facet of life. I would characterise this transformation as the rise of multipolarity, marked by the ambitions of new centres of influence and power in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East to more actively participate in global decision-making. These aspirations reflect the desires of the Global Majority nations, bolstered by their increasing economic power and independence in both domestic and foreign policy. Since its inception, BRICS has charted a remarkable journey—overcoming challenges and obstacles to evolve from an informal dialogue platform into an innovative mechanism for interstate cooperation. Today, our collaboration spans a comprehensive range of areas including politics, security, trade, economics, as well cultural and humanitarian ties," emphasised Sergey Ryabkov.
Irina Kostetskaya, representing BRICS Expert Council-Russia, underscored the vital role of civil society in BRICS evolution: "In this era of unprecedented geopolitical complexity and deep internal diversity among participating countries—and now also BRICS partners—formal government channels often face limitations. And here, informal interactions through expert communities, academic circles, analytical centres, business associations, and civil society organisations become essential as they generate ideas for multilateral cooperation."
Following the expert session, a vibrant literary and musical programme unfolded, celebrating the rich cultural diversity of the BRICS nations. Guests were treated to Russian, Indian, and Chinese dances, traditional folk songs, ancient Egyptian compositions, and contemporary Nigerian music, complemented by poetic recitals in Portuguese, Persian, Amharic, and Arabic.
