BRICS+ Information and Cultural Media Centre marks anniversary of association's creation

The All-Russian State Library for Foreign Literature named after M. I. Rudomino, in cooperation with TV BRICS and in partnership with the Russian National Public Library for Science and Technology, held the first-ever BRICS Day. The event was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the inaugural BRICS summit, which took place on 16 June 2009 in Yekaterinburg.

A roundtable discussion titled "BRICS Dialogue: Multilateral Cooperation as the Basis for a Multipolar World" was held at the BRICS+ Information and Cultural Media Centre. The event was opened by Sergey Ryabkov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and Russia’s BRICS Sherpa. In an exclusive commentary for TV BRICS, he noted that one of the key tasks at the current stage is the integration of new members and partners into the group’s existing cooperation mechanisms. According to Ryabkov, the role of BRICS as a centre of global gravity will only continue to grow.

"We are very pleased that Arab nations have joined BRICS in recent times and that African representation has expanded. We are seeing a strong Eurasian component within BRICS. Latin America – particularly during Brazil’s presidency – is asserting itself actively, especially through the highly modern agenda proposed by the Brazilians. We support them and are confident the summit in Rio de Janeiro will deliver positive outcomes"

Sergey Ryabkov Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, Russia’s BRICS Sherpa

The list of speakers also included representatives from the Aleksander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, the State Museum of the History of Russian Literature named after V. I. Dal, the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts – GITIS, and a number of other institutions.

During the media-focused session, Janna Tolstikova, CEO of TV BRICS, emphasised the importance of the BRICS+ Information and Cultural Media Centre, describing it as a platform for shaping the humanitarian agenda of the association.

Marina Zakharenko, Director General of the All-Russian State Library for Foreign Literature named after M. I. Rudomino, told TV BRICS that the library provides extensive opportunities for hosting various events and implementing projects related to the cultures of BRICS countries – BRICS Day being a clear example of this.

Evgeny Kapoguzov, Head of the Research and Training Laboratory for the Study of BRICS Economies at Moscow State University, stated that such meetings enable experts to exchange ideas, refine their academic perspectives, and identify common ground. He also highlighted the role of such platforms in promoting BRICS topics among academic and youth audiences.

“It provides a basis for dialogue, for identifying closer points of cooperation – in exchange programmes, educational initiatives, and partnerships between BRICS+ libraries,” the expert noted.

The final part was a vibrant cultural program. In the atrium, the "Foreigners" presented music, poems, and dances of the BRICS countries.

The BRICS+ Information and Cultural Media Centre was established in October 2024 by the Library for Foreign Literature in partnership with TV BRICS. Its work is aimed at developing and strengthening humanitarian cooperation, and promoting culture, science, and education across countries.

Photo: TV BRICS / press service of the All-Russian State Library for Foreign Literature