For long, Cochin Carnival has been the harbinger of New Year for the people in the city.
It will be no different this time as the latest edition of the Carnival will get under way with the observation of Solidarity Day on December 9.
A function will be held at the war memorial in the courtyard of St. Francis Church in Fort Kochi in memory of martyrs who laid down their lives for the country along with a prayer to spare the world of another war.
Floral wreaths will be placed at the memorial by Commodore Simon Mathai, Commanding Officer, INS Dronacharya , representing Indian Navy; Mayor Soumini Jain, Sub Collector Snehil Kumar, and V.S. Ramesh of the Carnival committee. This will be followed by a military guard of honour and a song for peace rendered by the choir group of the church.
Ex-servicemen, soldiers, family members of martyrs, NCC cadets, students, local residents and Carnival club members will participate.
The hallmark
Public participation is the hallmark of the Cochin Carnival being organised by 100-odd clubs and voluntary organisations in Kochi under the stewardship of the Sub Collector.
The committee will organise a procession from Fort Kochi Veli on December 15 at 5 p.m. K.J. Maxy, MLA, will hoist the Carnival flag at Vasco Da Gama Square the next day at 9 a.m. Deputy Mayor T.J. Vinod will be the chief guest. Presidents of participating clubs will hoist flags of their respective clubs on the occasion. A musical night will be held at 6 p.m.
Venues
A variety of programmes will be staged at multiple venues, including Vasco Da Gama Square, Pallathuraman Ground, Dronacharya Ground, Parade Ground, Nehru Park, Pattalam Ground, and Fort Kochi beach in the following days. A mega show, musical concert, folk songs, western music, fashion show, DJ, instrumental music, and Chavittunatakam will be among the programmes to be staged.
Beach motorbike race, beach football, veterans’ football, cycle race, boxing, wrestling, swimming, marathon, fishing contest, shuttle, ball badminton, Kalaripayattu, boat race, kayaking, painting contest for children, singing contest, recitation of poems, fancy dress, and float contests will be some of the other events to be held.
Cultural programmes will be staged on Fort Kochi beach and Parade Ground in the hours leading up to the New Year on December 31 from 8 p.m.
The celebrations will culminate with welcoming the New Year by setting fire to a giant effigy.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran will be the chief guest.
A Carnival procession will be held from the Veli Ground on January 1 at 3 p.m. This will be followed by a valedictory function and distribution of prizes at Parade Ground at 7 p.m.
