The granting of ₹2 crore to the Kochi Muziris Biennale (KMB) and the promise to turn Aspinwall House and Cabral Yard in Fort Kochi into permanent venues of the event have been welcomed by Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) president Bose Krishnamachari. “I am heartened by the government’s confidence in the project, noting that Kerala is the only State to recognise the soft power of art and culture. Our prime aim is to make art and culture a part of our education system,” he said.
The budgetary provision is in line with Chief Minister Pinayari Vijayan’s assurance at the inaugural ceremony of KMB 2016 that efforts were being made by the government to develop the Kochi event along the lines of the Venice Biennale, he added.
KBF secretary Riyas Komu said the move reflected on the perseverance of all stakeholders in proving to the government as well as the public that the Biennale was a celebration of art worth promoting.
