Global spice routes conclave to unveil heritage network

Declaration of the Spice Routes Heritage Network and charter presentation will set the stage for engaging conversations at a three-day international Spice Routes Conference scheduled in Kochi from January 6, spotlighting the shared maritime and cultural heritage and its continued relevance in the global narrative. The event, to be organised by the Muziris Heritage Project in collaboration with Kerala Tourism, will be held at Bolgatty Palace.

The first of its kind event in the country, the conference is conceived as an intellectual and cultural platform that reconnects the ancient Spice Route with contemporary global discourse. Besides thematic presentations, the conference will feature technical sessions on topics such as Governing and Sustaining Transnational Heritage Corridors, Heritage Tourism: Question of Sustainability, Re-imagining Spice Routes for Tourism, Digital Spice Routes, Muziris Re-imagined, and Knowledge Tradition in the Region.

The event will explore new ways to strengthen cultural and heritage tourism among a host of countries which are part the famed global trade corridor. According to Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, “the conference aims at positioning Kerala as an attractive destination that offers in-depth experiences rooted in history, heritage and culture.”

The conference seeks to position Kerala not merely as a destination but as a living crossroad of global heritage and maritime civilisation. Paper presentations, conversations, poster displays, art shows, film screening, performances, site visits and so on will be part of the conference.

The event will offer delegates a deeply immersive cultural journey into Kerala’s living heritage. The Muziris Heritage Project partners with the Kochi-based art collective Aazhi Archives, led by multimedia artist Riyas Komu, for holding photographic exhibitions and art shows at various sites in Kochi. M.H. Ilias of Mahatma Gandhi University is the academic consultant who has designed the academic sessions.

Three photographic exhibitions, Chavittunatakam (K.R. Sunil), Seeing is Believing (Biju Ibrahim) and Migrant Dreams (Aazhi Archives), will be held at the main venue. Two performances, Kaarkuzhali (songs of Jews of Kochi) by playback singer Reshmi Sateesh and Chavittunatakam by Thampi Asan and team of Gothuruth, will also be staged. The event will see 38 international delegates from 22 countries, besides participants from across the country.