World Cultural Forum
São Paulo – Brazil
From June 26 to July 04 2004
Ibirapuera Park
Anhembi Convention Centre
West Pavilion

The World Cultural Forum 2004 was held in São Paulo, from June 26 to July 04, at Anhembi Convention Centre, and was one of the most important events of the cultural sector ever held in this country. For the opening event a mega concert was produced , at Ibirapuera Park – Praça da Paz – with heavy weights of the national and international music scenario .On June 27 ,we had the presence of Paula Lima, B-Negão, Rapping Hood, Edvaldo Santana, Toma Sidibé, Rossi and Marcelo Yuka. The greatest star, however, was the Frenchman Manu Chao, followed by the Minister of Culture Gilberto Gil who brought the show to an end. The audience amounted to 60 thousand people.

On June 29, the WCF had its offcial opening ceremony at the Municipal Theatre, with the presence of authorities and personalities from the cultural sector. The President Luís Inácio Lula da Silva and the First Lady Marisa da Silva, Gilberto Gil, Minister of Culture; Geraldo Alckmmin, Governor of São Paulo;, Marta Suplicy, Mayor of São Paulo and her husband Luis Fravre, the Senator Eduardo Suplicy and Mr. Carlos Lopes, from the UN were present at the event . The Secretary of Culture Celso Frateschi held the role of Master of Ceremonies .

From June 30 on, Anhembi Convention Centre and the West Pavilion held the different debates and conferences of the Global Convention as well as The Ideas and Opportunities Fair.

The World Cultural Forum had the honour to welcome renowned personalities and intelectuals such as Fernando Solanas and Amos Gitai, filmmakers, authorities such as the Spanish Minister of Culture Carmem Calvo Poyato, Minister Gilberto Gil, the executive director of World Eco, Edric Ong; Carlos de Girolamo, ex-Minister of Culture in Chile; Sérgio Mamberti, Deputy Secretary for the Preservation of Identity and Culture Nestor Garcia Canclini, a Sociologist; the Anthropologist Sally Price; Tzamarenda Naychapi, Headmaster of the University of Ancestral Sciences in Quito and Indigenous leader ; Gilberto Dimenstein a journalist ; Wolfgang Schneider a Professor of Cultural Policies and President of ASSITEJ; Damien Pwono, Secretary General of IMC - International Music Council; Mauro Maldonato, Psychiatrist, Philosopher and Writer; Yacoff Sarkovas, President of Articultura, amongst others. (Check programme at this website).We also had projects presented in posters format, associated activities and projects aimed at the exchanging of experiences.

The WCF also held the Ideas and Opportunites Fair , an opportunity to promote dialogues, networking and contacts, presentation of ideas and diffusion of contemporary cultural production. It integrated tradition,technology, development, diversity and creativity. The Fair also supported the great exchange of knowledge amongst different people and institutions involved in the cultural sector. Spread around 10 thousand m², the Fair also presented shows, for instance Naná Vasconcelos and Toma Sidibé, Pena Branca and Chico Lobo, groups such as Trovadores Urbanos, singer Alzira Espíndola, Maracatu Nação Pernambuco group, Pífanos de Caruaru Band, Índios Wauja –the Ritual of the bamboo flute, amongst others. Ten thousand people attended the Global Convention and walked around the Fair during the 4 day event – the World Cultural Forum 2004

Brazilian Forum of Culture
Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
May 19 to 21, 2004
SESC Tijuca

National phase of the International Cultural Forum, with the participation of professionals of culture from different segments and from all the regions of the country, who will meet to discuss the main topics about Culture.
On the agenda, a discussion - preparatory to the International Cultural Forum - touching all the topics. There will also be a presentation of the results of the Regional Seminars that have been carried out all over Brazil since the beginning of this year.
Further information about the International Cultural Forum on the site www.forumbrasileirodecultura.org.br, since April 12. The period for inscription goes from April 20 to May 10; the inscriptions are to be executed on the site directly.

Cultural Forum of the State of Bahia
Salão Nobre - in the Office of the Dean of UFBA University- Canela

April 28, to 30, 2004

This event, that is held in the city of Salvador from April 28 to 30, intends to mobilize the different segments involved with art, culture and the development of the State of Bahia and lead them through a collective reflection about the culture of the State of Bahia and its challenges, in order to study together cooperative forms of action.
http://www.viamagia.rsdhost.com/forumbahia/

II Latin American Thematic Forum
Manizales - Colombia
April 28 to 30, 2004
www.cab.int.co

This second Thematic Forum of the Association of Cultural Promoters of Latin America and the Caribbean is one more preparatory event to the International Cultural Forum. With the topic "Latin America: enlarging cultural connections", the Forum intends to socialize experiences, discuss perspectives and present initiatives in the scope of Latin American culture.
This second event (the first one was organized in Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil) will allow the convergence of main lines of action that intervene directly on a new conceptualization of culture, integration, cultural process, insertion of Latin America in the global world and the policies of integration of our countries. Different modalities of exhibition and communication will be performed, such as lectures, videoconferences, Internet conferences, round-tables and spaces for negotiation.
The Forum will receive professionals involved with culture and the investigation of social and educational sciences, science and technology, as well as NGOs, social organizations, indigenous groups.

Seminar of the Centre-West
Auditorium Germano de Barros - Convention Center Rubens Gil de Camilo
Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul - Brazil
May 02, 03 and 04, 2004

Artist, cultural promoters and professionals involved with culture from the States of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás and Distrito Federal meet to discuss art and culture in this region.
Culture Foundation of MTS
tel. 67 318-6158
beldc@terra.com.br

Seminar of the Southeast
Itabira/ Belo Horizonte - State of Minas Gerais - Brazil
From April 8, to 11

The Southeast region organizes this regional meeting at the city of Itabira, previewing the World Cultural Forum. The aim is to stimulate the debate and present art and culture of the States of Espírito Santo, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. Itabira is the home land of the poet Carlos Drummond de Andrade, who is cited along the World Culture Forum through his verses "Now What?" from the poem "José".

Seminar of the Centre-West
Campo Grande - MS - Brasil
From April 9, to 11

Artists, Cultural Pormoters and professionals involved with culture form the States of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás and Distrito Federal gather to discuss art and culture in their region.

Seminar of the Metropolitan area of Campinas
Indaituba - SP - Brazil
From April 16, to April 17

The Metropolitan area of Campinas also counts on a preliminary seminar for the World Cultural Forum. Representatives of a variety of entities, bodies, and institutions, artists, cultural producers, and all the professionals involved with art and culture from 25 cities discuss many themes involving the sector.
The cities of Americana, Arthur Nogueira, Cosmópolis, Engenheiro Coelho, Holambra, Hortolândia, Indaiatuba, Itatiba, Jaguariúna, Monte Mor, Nova Odessa, Paulínia, Pedreira, Santa Bárbara D`Oeste, Santo Antônio de Posse, Sumaré, Valinhos, Vinhedo, and o Circuito das Águas [Waters' Circuit], participate of the event. And Águas de Lindóia, Amparo, Lindóia, Monte Alegre do Sul, Morungaba, Serra Negra and Socorro are cities somehow involved in the process.

South Cone Seminar
Foz do Iguaçu - State of Paraná - Brazil
From April 18, to April 21, 2004

Organized in the city of Foz do Iguaçu by the Secretariat for Culture of the State of Paraná, the secretary Vera Mussi aims at gathering representatives of the Southern States of Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná) as well as Mercosur countries (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Brazil).

Seminar of the Metropolitan area of Campinas
Indaituba - SP - Brazil
From April 16, to April 17

The Metropolitan area of Campinas also counts on a preliminary seminar for the World Cultural Forum. Representatives of a variety of entities, bodies, and institutions, artists, cultural producers, and all the professionals involved with art and culture from 25 cities discuss many themes involving the sector. The cities of Americana, Arthur Nogueira, Cosmópolis, Engenheiro Coelho, Holambra, Hortolândia, Indaiatuba, Itatiba, Jaguariúna, Monte Mor, Nova Odessa, Paulínia, Pedreira, Santa Bárbara D`Oeste, Santo Antônio de Posse, Sumaré, Valinhos, Vinhedo, and o Circuito das Águas [Waters' Circuit], participate of the event. And Águas de Lindóia, Amparo, Lindóia, Monte Alegre do Sul, Morungaba, Serra Negra and Socorro are cities somehow involved in the process. Contact: Claudio (19) 3825-2056 and 3825-2058, Secretary of Culture of Indaiatuba

Seminar of the South East
Itabira/ Belo Horizonte - Minas Gerais - Brazil
April 8 to 11, 2004

The Cultural Seminar of the South East, preparatory meeting to the International Cultural Forum, gathered about 500 participants from April 8 to 11, 2004, among which: lecturers, students, public and private administrators of culture, authorities, artists and professionals from the artistic and cultural segments.

The objective was to encourage discussions and introduce art and culture of the States of Espírito Santo, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. Itabira is the city where Carlos Drummond de Andrade was born, the poet whose question "And now what?" (from the poem "José") pervades the International Cultural Forum.

Contact: Cleber Camargo Rodrigues - 31 3835.2144 Fax: 31 3835.2110

Belém - State of Pará - Brazil
From March 10, to March 14, 2004
www.seminarioculturalamazonia.org.br

Artists, cultural producers, authorities, institutions, and anyone involved in developing art and culture in the Region of the Amazon will gather at the I Cultural Seminar of Amazonia. The regional meeting, which serves as a preview of the World Cultural Forum, will enable to discuss, formulate proposals, and present cultural groups of the region. Three thousand participants of the most diverse segments (music, the plastic arts, cinema, dance, theatre, literature, the craft industry, folklore, etc.) are expected to come and draw the artistic and cultural profile of the region. Every state will present the experiences it found interesting in the fight for regional art and culture, while the city, state administrators will explain their cultural policies. These artistic expressions will influence or already influence the growth and history of Amazonia will be paid tribute. A rough 150 observers from Brazil and all over the world will be present at the event besides personalities of the artistic world and agents of the cultural market.
The Seminar will be divided into Lectures, Round Tables, and an Exhibit on the Amazon; and cultural and artistic productions of the state of the region will be presented on the Stage, Gallery, and Permanent Screen.

Organized and Coordinated by: ACAM - Cultural Association of Amazonia
Sponsored by: The Government of the State of Pará, Amazônia Celular, Banco da Amazônia S/A, Rede Celpa, the Cityhall of Belém, the Sebrae - Service of Support ot Small and Medium Entreprises, the SESC - Social Service of the Commerce, the Sesi - Social Service for the Industry, Eletronorte - Centrais Elétricas do Norte S/A, and Fotofilmes.

Agenda 21
Porto Alegre - State of Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil
January 12, 2004

The Latin American City Forum for Culture of the Agenda 21 was in preparation of the Agenda 21 meeting for Culture, which is to take place in May 2004, during the 4th Forum of Local Authorities, for the opening of the Universal Forum of Cultures in Barcelona. The Agenda 21 will serve as the starting point as well as a basis to organize processes, and draw up documents, in which specific commitments will be stated for each of the subscribing territories and entities. Although the Agenda 21 will focus mainly on the "Public City Policies", the event was open to institutions, universities, NGOs, and anyone interested in general.

Cádiz Ibero-American Festival
Cádiz - Spain
December 16, to October 25, 2003

During the 15th Ibero-American Theatre Festival of Cádiz, in the South of Spain, the Festival directors, organizers, representatives of the cultural sector, as well as actors, directors and journalists of Ibero-América presented the World Cultural Forum that will take place in São Paulo, Brazil, from June 29, to July 4, 2004. The Cádiz Festival is a stage event that opents the doors of Europe to the shows and groups of the Latin-American continent.
The "Tácita de Plata", as the one thousand year old port of Cádiz is known, served as a landmark to present this mega platform of the world culture, in an action headed by Sérgio Mamberti, Secretary of the Brazilian Ministry of Culture; Walter Roberto Malta, President of Rede Brazil, and Octavio Arbálaez Tobón, Director of the Network of Cultural Promotors of Latin America and the Caribbean Islands.
Sérgio Mamberti, the Secretary of the Ministry of Culture who is also the adviser of the singer Gilberto Gil, took the opportunity to say that the 2004 World Cultural Forum in Brazil is not a mere event that lasts ten days, but a genuine process, open to many initiatives and ways of participating for the people related to culture in Brazil, Latin America, and the world. This is why the representatives of the Forum invited all participants of this action to contribute to their country to make an enriching and participative process of this event.
During the event, the Cultural Forum was presented to the press in Madrid; the presentation was organized by Arnaldo Caiche, the cultural attaché of the Brazilian Embassy, and took place in the House of the Americas.

International Cutural Network Meeting
Salvador - State of Bahia - Brazil
December 4, to December 6, 2003

During the 5th Cultural Market, the International Cultural Network Meeting was organized with work groups who debated on the themes to focus on at the World Cultural Forum; the groups also debated on how the networks articulate, their advantages and importance nowadays. The cultural networks seek to further the circulation, distribution, and interchange of information, ideas, goods, shows, and cultural services.

Latin American Thematic Forum
Salvador - State of Bahia - Brazil
From December 4, to December 6, 2003

Experts from all over Latin America gathered in Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil to think over the different themes relating culture and development, culture and economic integration, the society of knowledge and the digital gap. The event, entitled 1st Latin American Thematic Forum, is organized by the Andrés Bello Convention and the Network of Cultural Promotors of Latin America and the Caribbean Islands; it took place during the 5th Cultural Market which occurs every year in Salvador, State of Bahia.
This Forum was a preparation for the World Cultural Forum, and was called on December 4, by Danilo Santos Miranda, President of the 2004 World Cultural Forum in São Paulo, and Ana Milena Escobar Araújo, Executive Secretary of the Andrés Bello Convention. During the four-day-long meeting, various tables were formed to discuss themes ranging from "Culture and Development, The Regional Diagnostics", "Culture And Integration Under the Perspective of The Economy of Culture", "Old Issues and New Technologies: Culture And The Society of Knowledge", among others.

5th Cultural Market
Salvador - State of Bahia - Brazil
December 2, to December 7, 2003
www.viamagia.com.br

"Dialogues Throughout Time" was the theme of the 5th Cultural Market that took place in Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil. The theme refers to the ancestry and its representatives with the different times, phases, or movements, from traditional to contemporary times.
This was the concept of the Cultural market that, in its fifth version, brought together over 1,500 independent artists, producers, cultural agents, administrators and journalists from all over the world during one week in Salvador.
Larger than the previous markets, the event presented a program of 80 artistic exhibits, including music, dance, and theatre. The capital of Bahia was transformed into 32 exhibitions of visual arts, 20 conferences, and meetings, 15 workshops, not to mention the great business market. Producers, creators, and agents exchanged information, and signed contracts during the FALA, the large Arts and Opportunity Fair, which had 80 stands. The economic impact of the market exceeded the US$ 5 million last year, and this number is expected to be fully exceeded in 2003. Over 100 thousand artists, agents, and producers from all over the world will pass by during the first week of december in an event that was mentioned in the European press "as one of the three major of the like in the world", stated Ruy César Silva, the administrator responsible for this cultural initiative, which this year will count with the presence of the Minister for Culture, Gilberto Gil, during the opening day.

Fórum das Cidades [Forum of the Cities]
Rio de janeiro - Brazil
SESC

Barcelona
Barcelona - Brazil

Rome
Rome - Italy
July 22, 2003

The former Minister for Culture of France, Jack Lang, the Minister for Culture of Portugal, Manuel Carrillo, and the Mayor of the city of Rome, Walter Veltroni gathered at the meeting organized on the request of the Minister for Culture of Brazil, Gilberto Gil, who came with Mrs. Rebecca Raposo, a member of the Forum management committee; all delivered a comprehensive explanation to the Italian press on the elaborating process of the World Cultural Forum of São Paulo.

II Forum of Cultural Policies in Rio Claro
Rio Claro - State of São Paulo - Brazil
May 21, and May 23, 2003

Organized with various government and non-government agencies, the II Forum was supported by the Ministry for Culture, through a regional delegation from São Paulo, and representatives from significant agencies of the cultural sector, such as the Latin American Network of Cultural Producers, the Mercosul Cultural Network, the SESC of São Paulo, the Intercity Forum on Culture, the Polis Institute of the Brazilian Union of Writers - UBE, among others.
The debates during the Forum were concerning the new prospects created for political and government changes which have been noticed both at the federal level, and at the state level, in the aim of establishing a consensus on themes of great interest for producers, cultural coordinators and managers, such as: "Expanding The Geographic-Channel Setup", "Updating the Financing Mechanisms of Cultural Productions And Actions", "Democracy, Culture, Participation, and Social Integration", and "The Agenda 21 for Cities/Culture".

III Regional Cultural Policies Forum in Rio Claro
Rio Claro – SP - Roberto Palmari Cultural Center
June 17 to 19

www.rioclaro.sp.gov.br

Rio Claro Forum will discuss culture centricity in public policies construction aiming to establish a social, participative, sustained and plural development approaching the general theme “Mother is Culture”.