Business and economy may have been the focus of his three-day state visit to India, but Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva did take out time for some cultural bonding between the two countries as well.So beginning next year, the national capital’s culture lovers will get umpteen opportunities to soak in the different colours of Brazil. While the year 2008 will be celebrated as the year of Brazil in India, 2009 has been declared as the year of India in Brazil. There will also be a Brazilian cultural festival in India from January to March 2008 and the Indian cultural festival in Brazil from July to September 2008 . “The events will aim at cultural exchange between the two nations where each will present their best,” said Da Silva before leaving Delhi on Tuesday.The project has been planned along the lines of ‘Year of Brazil in France’ organised in 2005. “The positive response in France encouraged us to organise similar activities in other countries as well. India was an obvious favourite because of its rich heritage. Moreover, like Brazil, India too has a varied culture where every region has a distinct cultural identity,” said Paulo Marcos Almeida De Moraes, Cultural Counsellor for the Embassy of Brazil in India. He added, “The festivities will revolve around five core areas including cinema and photography, music and dance, fashion, visual art and academic seminars.”Meanwhile, a short festival on similar lines is already taking place in Delhi. Titled ‘Brazilian Watercolours’, the week-long festival that began on June 4 comprises an art exhibition featuring works of Regina Silveira and Arthur Luiz Piza, a musical show of traditional samba by Teresa Cristina and a workshop on Brazil’s popular music by Professor Marilda Batista and Dr Dilip Loundo. “The initiative certainly brings good news for individuals from both countries. After all, building on cultural relations is one of the best means to improve ties between nations,” said Silveira.
