Lula highlights strength, identity of Brazilian culture during official visit to France

"We are here with Nosso Barco Tambor Terra, in this 'forest boat', full of musical instruments, drums from various parts of the world, Asia, Africa, America, Europe. It is also a painting and an installation. It offers this idea of our planet as a drum boat. And we are thinking about where we are going with this boat. I am glad to be here bringing the wonderful strength of Brazilian culture, of art and life and love, and the human race."

This is how the Rio de Janeiro visual artist Ernesto Neto presented his work, on display at the Grand Palais, Paris, until June 23. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited the sculpture on Friday, June 6, alongside the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. This was part of the program of Lula's state visit to the European country.

"This year, we are exporting to France what I consider one of the greatest riches of the Brazilian nation: our culture. After an agreement signed by President Macron and me in 2023, 2025 was established as the Brazil-France Cultural Year, in celebration of the 200 years of diplomatic relations between our countries. Today we visited the exhibition Nosso Barco Tambor Terra. This work brings together instruments and sensory elements that create a universal language, capable of going beyond words, bringing cultures and feelings closer. Brazilian culture has crossed the oceans, and is building bridges and touching hearts around the world," the President said in a post on social media.

EFFERVESCENT — As well as Ernesto Neto's exhibition, Mostra Horizontes presents the work of young contemporary Brazilian artists such as Marina Simão. In all, around 300 Brazilian events are being held across 50 French cities within the cultural exchange season, which continues until September. "Brazil today is experiencing a special, effervescent moment. There are so many good, young artists. I think I am very lucky to have been born in Brazil to be able to paint," Marina said.

CULTURAL COOPERATION — A new Cultural Cooperation Agreement between Brazil and France will be signed on Friday. It updates the original treaty of 1948, and provides for joint actions in the fields of heritage, arts, audiovisual, books, training, creative economy, and cultural rights. The proposal is to expand cultural exchange between the two countries and to promote inclusive, sustainable, and innovative policies in the sector.

STUDENT HEART — There was a special moment during the state visit’s cultural program when President Lula met with the Brazilian community at Paris City Hall. Lula invited Minister Margareth Menezes to sing. The artist and head of the Ministry of Culture sang ballad Coração de Estudante [Student Heart], by Milton Nascimento and Wagner Tiso, a capella. "It was a moment of affection and of affirmation of Brazilian culture as a bridge between peoples. We are turning the page of the setback and showing the world the creative and democratic force of Brazil," said the minister.

PROGRAM – The visit to the exhibition was President Lula's second appointment on Friday, June 6, second day of his official program in France. Previously, the president received the title of Doctor Honoris Causa at the University of Paris 8. After visiting the exhibition, Lula attended an event in which Brazil received the certification of a foot-and-mouth disease-free country without vaccine. This was followed by a ceremony closing a business forum.

RECEPTION – The state visit began on Thursday, June 5, with an official reception at the Esplanade des Invalides, followed by a bilateral meeting with President Emmanuel Macron and a joint statement to the press at the Élysée Palace. In the afternoon, Lula received a tribute from the French Academy, met with the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and spoke to members of the Brazilian community in France. In the early evening, he attended a state dinner hosted by the French government—and witnessed the Eiffel Tower being illuminated with the colors of Brazil, in honor of the Brazilian delegation

In the afternoon, Lula was given a tribute by the French Academy; met with the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo; and talked to members of the Brazilian community in France. In the early evening, he attended a state dinner offered by the French government — and witnessed the Eiffel Tower being illuminated with the colors of Brazil, in honor of the Brazilian delegation in France.

RESUMPTION – Lula's visit is the first of a Brazilian head of state to France in 13 years, and is part of a broad process of resumption of relations between the two nations as of in 2023 — a process reiterated by Macron's visit to Brazil last year. It is President Lula’s third state visit to France. The previous visits occurred in 2005, during the presidency of Jacques Chirac, and 2009, of Nicolas Sarkozy.