Monday, August 1, 2011

India’s First International biennale to be Hosted in Cochin

India’s first international Biennale in November next year is all set to be hosted in Cochin which would be pushing Kerala's tourism appeal to new heights. A record number of 1.3 million visitors from across the world are expected to meet at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale during the three months. The event would begin on November 2012 in the heritage zones of the city in order to view works by some 75 artists from 45 countries as part of a visual arts festival taking place in Kochi and Muziris. Both Kochi and Muziris are an area  which boasts of rich and unique culture and history.

The chief promoters of the event are in talks with many corporate houses on behalf of  sponsorship including household brands such  as car companies and leading banks. All these companies are interested in supporting the event and  the promoters are hoping to forge long-term relationships with them for at least three biennales. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is inspired by the world’s oldest Biennale in Venice, and aims to bring together superstars in the art world across the globe and young budding local talents in the centuries old city which boasts of rich legacies of Europe, Africa, South East and Far East Asian and as well as China.

The legendary Muziris port city which  existed until the flood of 1341, was discovered during the recent excavations at the nearby region in Kodungalloor. Kerala government is planning to build a tourism circuit in the near future. Muziris is actually known as the gateway to Judaism, Christianity and Islam in India and  its rich maritime history dates back to 1st century BC. The biennale comes in handy for the Kerala which wields its soft power to attract tourists.

The Kochi Biennale Foundation will be restoring the heritage buildings built by the Dutch, Portuguese, the English and the local Maharajahs to their past glory and would be left to the participating artists to exhibit their works. The cost of the maiden edition of the Biennale is estimated to be at Rs750 million and the state government would be offering a part of financial support for the same.


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