At the Kochi-Muziris Biennale-socio-cultural benefits seminar, Mayor Tony Chammany extended his full support to the arts festival. He said that funds have been set aside in this regard. “The Corporation wants the event to be held. I am sure that Kochi will be on the world map because of the Biennale.”In India, Kochi has received the singular honour of staging the festival. Mayor Chammany added that the Durbar Hall art gallery has become world-class because of the work done by the organisers.
Earlier, Bienalle programme director Riyas Komu claimed that there were over 100 Bienalles across the world. “As a nation, we are lagging behind. Through the festival, Kochi will become the cultural epicentre of India.”
The festival will host 80 artists from all over the world. There will be educational and public programmes to sensitise the public. And, most importantly, it will help in the development of cultural tourism.“Worldwide, over 300 million people travel for cultural tourism. We expect over 5 lakh visitors for the Kochi Biennale,” said Komu.
Meanwhile, Benny Kuriakose of the Muziris Heritage Project said that the state has allocated `180 crore for the preservation of the Muziris area. “This is targeted at the 5.4 million school-children in the state,” he said.
There are projects to restore temples, churches and mosques, including the Cheraman Juma Masjid, which is considered the oldest mosque in India. New boat-jetties and water taxis are being put into service.
“We need clean canals. Once upon a time, the canals in Amsterdam were as dirty as ours,” said Kuriakose.
A new centre for Muziris Studies has been set up at Kodungaloor. “Apart from that, 27 museums will be set up. The project is being highlighted in the international media,” said Kuriakose.
Artist Balan Nambiar spoke of the impact of the Venice Biennale which he has visited about 18 times so far. “It has impacted Venice in terms of boosting the economy. I am sure the same thing will happen here. The Biennale will be a landmark in the history of Kochi,” said Nambiar.Tongue in cheek, he added that the controversies surrounding the project were good as it created the best publicity for the festival. “Abuse is better than indifference,” he remarked.
Others who spoke included Bose Krishnamachari, artistic director of the Biennale, Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, managing trustee of the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai, and Muhammed Afzal Edappakath of the Dutch Embassy in Delhi.
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