Summit in Brazil discussed "Cultural Sovereignty of Latin America: New Meanings in a Multipolar World"
On June 17, 2026, the Panel Session "Cultural Sovereignty of Latin America: New Meanings in a Multipolar World" was held as part of the World Public Summit: Latin America "New World: Latin America in Shaping a Shared Future" in Salvador (Brazil). The discussion brought together writers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists and diplomats from Brazil, Chile, Venezuela and Russia and became one of the most lively and informative events of the Summit. The moderator was Alyona Dolgopolova, Official Secretary of the World Peoples Assembly, journalist and public figure.
A special event of the Panel Session was the participation of the conductor of the USP Filarmonica Orchestra, Maestro Rubens Ricciardi. The day before, on June 16, he gave a concert in Salvador. The participants of the Summit called this cultural event one of the strongest impressions in a long time. During the discussion, the conductor spoke about his deep love for Russian musical culture and noted that classical music remains a universal language capable of uniting nations despite any barriers.
Influenced by Rubens Ricciardi's fiery speech, the participants and organizers of the Summit decided to hold a joint concert uniting the cultures of Russia and Latin America in May 2027 at the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the World Peoples Assembly. The idea was widely supported by those present.
Venezuelan filmmaker Jimena Pereira spoke about the pain she feels watching the oppression of her country's culture. She brings this feeling to the screen: her recent film explores the theme of the destruction of cultural identity through the image of a destroyed monument to the Goddess, a symbol of what happens when people try to take away their historical memory.
Brazilian director Daniela Farina, on the other hand, noted positive changes: in recent years, interest in indigenous culture has grown significantly in Brazil, both from society and from film production. Today, making films on these topics has become not only possible, but also in demand, whereas ten years ago it was almost unthinkable.
Chilean journalist and writer Patricio Mary Bell outlined an acute contradiction in the Latin American media space: mainstream media traditionally dominate and often impose other people's cultural codes, while at the same time there is a growing body of independent journalists who consciously work to preserve and promote the Latin American cultural agenda. Patricio Mary Bell also stressed that he understands the real situation in the world well and consistently conveys to Chilean readers an objective picture of what is happening.
The representative of Rossotrudnichestvo in Brazil, Praskovya Prokina, spoke about the noticeably increased interest of the Brazilian audience in the work of Andrei Tarkovsky, as well as about the educational opportunities that Russia provides to talented young Brazilians, including free tuition at Russian universities. According to her, it is through education and culture that the long-term foundation of bilateral relations is formed.
Valery Ruzin, Deputy Secretary General of the World Peoples Assembly, President of the Eurasian Academy of Television and Radio, told the audience about the International Film Festival "Won Together", which will be held in Moscow in the fall of 2026 and will become a platform for dialogue between cinematographers from different countries.
The Panel Session confirmed that cultural sovereignty is not isolation, but the right to have one's own voice in a global dialogue. Latin America enjoys this right through cinema, music, literature, and live partnerships with Russia, India, and the Global South.
The specific initiatives voiced at the session will be included in the Salvador Declaration of the World Public Summit, reflecting the principle: "A just world based on the principles of solidarity, trust, mutual respect and shared responsibility for the future." In the Declaration, the participants will formulate shared values of the New World based on discussions, highlight their vision of a shared future and the role of Latin America in it, and identify priority areas for further cooperation.
Media accreditation, cooperation issues: media@world-assembly.org.
More information and the program of events are on the official website of the World Public Summit.