Bhubaneswar, May 14: Union Minister for Culture and Tourism G Kishan Reddy said the theme of India’s G20 Presidency “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment emphasises upon the concept of world as one family.
Addressing a press conference here on Sunday before the 2nd G20 India Culture Working Group Meeting, Reddy said it also aims for environmental sustainability and responsible choices, both at the level of individual lifestyles and national development.
Talking about the agenda of the Meeting, the Minister said there will be sessions on the four priority areas of the Culture Working Group – Protection and Restitution of Cultural Property, Harnessing Living Heritage for a Sustainable Future Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries and Creative Economy and Leveraging Digital Technologies for the Protection and Promotion of Culture.
The Union Minister said, “There will be discussions around collaborative initiatives, such as cultural exchange programs, joint heritage conservation projects, and cross-cultural dialogues that can strengthen our connections and build more resilient and interconnected communities.”
Minister of State for Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal said the discussion on a ‘Sustainable Future’ will focus on what our next generation inherits. He said the Cultural sites should be linked with economic activities and tourism should be developed on such sites to promote employment opportunities for the locals.
He also highlighted that technology will be promoted at the sites.
The delegates from G20 members, guest nations, and several international organisations arrived in Bhubaneswar, on Sunday Odisha for the Second G20 Culture Working Group (CWG) Meeting.
The meeting aims to build on the discussions from the 1st CWG meeting held in February at Khajuraho and the expert-driven Global Thematic Webinars focusing on the four priority areas of the CWG: Protection and Restitution of Cultural Property; Harnessing Living Heritage for a Sustainable Future; Promotion of Cultural and Creative Industries and Creative Economy; and Leveraging Digital Technologies for the Protection and Promotion of Culture.
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Co-Chair, G20 CWG Lily Pandeya talked about the collaborative power that the G20 members, the guest nations and the international organisations hold to harness the power of culture to unite our nations and foster a sense of global solidarity.
An exquisite sand art exhibit by Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik was organized at the Puri beach to celebrate the theme of ‘Culture Unites All’,
The sand art installation was inaugurated by Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Arjun Ram Meghwal.
India’s G20 Culture Working Group launched the ‘Culture Unites All’ campaign emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence among diverse cultures and communities.
The delegates were treated to a variety of cultural performances, including Sankha Badan, Tribal dance (Singari), Odissi dance, Gotipua and Sambalpuri dance.
These performances highlight the rich cultural heritage of Odisha and underscore the importance of preserving traditional art forms.
The 2nd CWG meeting’s discussion sessions begin tomorrow. The meeting brings together delegates from the G20 members, guest nations, and international organizations, to deliver their respective statements on the 4 priority areas outlined by the CWG.
Through in-depth discussions and collaboration, the group aims to generate actionable recommendations for addressing critical cultural issues on a global scale.
An exhibition titled ‘Sustain: The Craft Idiom’- ‘Harnessing Living Heritage for a Sustainable Future’ will be inaugurated tomorrow at Kala Bhoomi – Odisha Crafts Museum in Bhubaneswar.
The exhibition will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
The exhibition aims to create awareness amongst visitors, professionals, and policymakers about the harmonious coexistence between humankind and nature.
The exhibition will be open to the public from the 16th to 22nd May, 2023.
Apart from this, the delegates will have Master Class by craft practitioners, engage in traditional art, and a guided museum tour.
Along with the sessions and bilateral meetings of the 2nd Culture Working Group meeting, the G20 delegates will also visit historic heritage monuments of Odisha such as the Sun Temple at Konark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Udayagiri caves in Bhubaneshwar.
Following the discussions over the next 2 days in Bhubaneshwar, the 3rd CWG meeting will be held in Hampi from 15-18 July 2023 and the Culture Ministers’ Meeting is scheduled to take place in Varanasi from the end of August 2023.
