In 2005 the World Social Forum shifted back to Porte Alegre in Brazil, the city of its inception. But it was not the same. The culture inputs in 2004, with its volume, complexity and range, had changed the texture of the forum. In Brazil for the first time works and concerns over culture issues became primary. Majlis, along with some of the art groups who collaborated in the 2004 edition, prepared a cultural representation from India.

India Component in Opening Ceremony
Curated by Bishakha Datta
Sufi singer Rabbi and Fusion rock music of Amit Heri group

Plenary on Challenges to Political Art Practices
Convened by Madhusree Dutta and Paromita Vohra

Speakers: Rula Hulawani, Palestinian photographer
Jimmie Durham: Native American installation artist, performer and activist
Koffi Koko: Choreographer and dance artist from Benin
John Akomrah: Filmmaker of Ghanaian origin from UK
Gilberto Gil: Musician and Minister of Culture from Brazil

Hunger@globalisation
a multi-disciplinary art installation curated by Tushar Joag

CROSSOVERS & REWRITES: Borders across Asia
a multi-disciplinary art and media installation
Curated by Mamta Murthy and Shilpa Gupta

Other Worlds are Breathing
A festival of films on alternatives
Curated by Gargi Sen