Culture can be ‘common language’ for peace: Deputy minister
Iran called for stronger cultural cooperation among BRICS members at a two-day meeting in the Indian city of Bhopal, with its deputy culture minister saying culture and the arts could serve as a “common language” for peace and help address economic and political challenges.
“Culture and art are not a side issue, but the only common and effective language for peace, tranquility and resolving economic and political challenges in today’s world,” Mohsen Javadi, who led the Iranian delegation at the 11th BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting on August 8-9, said at the event.
The meeting was held under the theme “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.
The Iranian delegation took part in negotiations that produced a final statement agreed by all members and adopted as the basis for BRICS cultural cooperation in 2026.
Javadi highlighted cooperation in books and publishing, culture, arts, tourism and cultural heritage, while stressing the importance of supporting young people in member states as drivers of future cultural ties.
On the sidelines, he held talks with cultural officials from India, Indonesia and Brazil. Indonesia’s Culture Minister Fadli Zon expressed readiness for joint work on the Tehran International Book Fair, film production, protection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage and cultural weeks.
Talks with India’s deputy culture minister focused on expanding cooperation around the Persian language, including the Indian official’s personal interest in learning Persian.
Javadi proposed two major cultural programs in India, centered on the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, to be organized with the Iranian embassy and cultural mission.
The 18th BRICS summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi in mid-September.