As organisers put the finishing touches to the Pondicherry Heritage Festival (February 27-March 1), they announced on Wednesday that the event will see some big names, including actor Revathi and French Ambassador to India François Richier at the inauguration.
The event is being organised by People for Pondicherry’s Heritage, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Puducherry, and NGO PondyCAN.
“The festival is a joint effort by several organisations to preserve heritage, which includes buildings and various forms of heritage. We want people to participate in large numbers and invite all Pondicherians to attend the event,” said Kakoli Banerjee from the residents group People for Pondicherry’s Heritage. The idea is to create awareness of heritage in Puducherry, said A. Arul, Additional co-convener, Puducherry chapter of INTACH.
Ashok Panda, convener, Puducherry chapter of INTACH, said the organisers would also push for Puducherry’s inclusion in the government’s Heritage City Development Scheme (HRIDAY) and smart cities list.
“Puducherry has all the potential and wherewithal to be one of the most beautiful cities,” said Mr. Panda. He added that his organisation was working on details of cooperation in financial and technical expertise from the government of France, following the visit of architect Raphael Gastebois.
Sunaina Mandeen of PondyCAN and People for Pondicherry’s Heritage said the organisers hope to include other aspects of heritage such as natural heritage and food heritage in subsequent editions of the festival.
“Heritage is a living thing,” said Olivier Litvine, director of Alliance Francaise. Tourism could become an economic asset for Puducherry and attract tourists to stay longer than two days here, he said.
The organisers also said the government had been open to suggestions and receptive to their request for participation. They said that the government had promised to take up restoration of around two to three heritage buildings every year.
Other prominent guests include Philippe Toussaint of Les Vieilles Maisons Françaises (French Heritage Society) from France and Tasneem Mehta, vice-chairperson, INTACH.
The Pondicherry Heritage Festival is supported by almost all major establishments and organisations in the town and the government, including the Department of Tourism, Department of Art and Culture, Alliance Francaise, École Française d'Extrême-Orient, French Institute of Pondicherry, Cluny Embroidery Centre, Pondy ART, Svaram (Auroville), Neemrana hotels, CGH Earth, Hidesign, Gratitude-a heritage home, and residents from Puducherry.
Big names, including actor Revathi and French Ambassador to India François Richier, likely to attend inauguration on February 27
