Brasília, July 2, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - Despite their geographical proximity, cultural exchange among South American countries is still insignificant. "We take note of Argentinean literature, for example, when it has already become familiar in the developed countries, rather than as something of our own," affirms the Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim. Now Brazil wants to reduce this distance, and, for this purpose, will sponsor the South American Festival, from September 17 to 25.

The stage chosen for the event is the city of Corumbá, near the Bolivian border, in the flood plain (Pantanal) region of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The Festival was launched yesterday (1) in the Itamaraty Palace by Minister Amorim and the governor of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, José Orcírio Miranda. "We were brought up to believe that things only arrived by sea, from Europe. I perceived that Chileans and Bolivians also believe this. This idea was the point of departure behind the Festival," the governor recounts.

The objective of the encounter is to promote a large-scale cultural exchange among Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam, and French Guiana. "It will be a landmark in the history of the integration that President Lula has called for in South America," Orcírio wagers. The South America Festival will be paid for by the Bank of Brazil, which has budgeted US$ 650 thousand (R$ 2 million) for the event.

The Festival will not be limited to celebrations and artistic attractions. Seminars, lectures, and debates on the environment, sustainable tourism, and integration will also be part of the event.

Reporter: Alessandra Bastos
Translator: David Silberstein