Ending speculations that the city will lose an opportunity to host a mega fest, the 55 edition of the Kerala School Arts fete will be held here in January.
Confirming that government is not considering any other venue, Education Minister P.K. Abdu Rabb told The Hindu on Wednesday that Kochi will host the State school arts fest this year. There is no change in the original plan, he said.
The city last played host to the fete in 2006 and it also holds the distinction of being the venue for the first State school arts fest in 1957.
About 400 students had participated in 18 competitions at the maiden edition of the fest.
As per the schedule, the 55th fest is from January 15 to 21. Even though the Education Department had zeroed in on Kochi as the venue of the State school arts fest, rumours were rife that the authorities would have to shift it to another district fearing that the ongoing Kochi Metro Rail work would affect the conduct of the fest in the major city venues.
An assurance by District Collector M.G. Rajamanickam that arrangements could be made to ensure the smooth conduct of the fest cleared the air. The organisers were also groping in the dark after they found that the Union Public Service Commission had selected certain crucial festival venues to conduct its examination on January 18.
The Education Minister pointed out that the present plan is to either shift the events scheduled at these venues to another centre or re-arrange the event timings in tune with the exam schedule. This could be resolved without much trouble, he said.
