Diego Freire
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - The creation of Culture Spots abroad is intended to help Brazilians disseminate their cultural activities, the secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Elder Vieira, said today. According to Vieira, the project also seeks to strengthen Brazilian communities abroad. "It will now be easier for Brazilians abroad to disseminate their cultural activities," he said. Each Spot has computers, a digital camera, and broadband internet access.

In Vieira's opinion, foreigners will be able to obtain more information about Brazil through contact with different cultural expressions, such as capoeira circles, music, theater, and dance. "Various leaders and Ministers of State have referred to the Culture Spots as a significant innovation on the international cultural scene. The main idea will be to energize the culture that exists outside Brazil."

The government plans to create 20 more Culture Spots in other countries by 2006. Two have already been installed in the United States. "We are thinking about establishing other Culture Spots in Latin American countries and Portuguese-speaking countries, such as Portugal, Mozambique, Angola, and Cape Verde," Vieira commented.

During his three-day visit to France this week, the Minister of Culture, Gilberto Gil, inaugurated a Culture Spot at the University of Paris. According to Vieira, the location was chosen because it is a meeting place for Brazilians and foreigners who study Brazilian culture.

Translation: David Silberstein