Christmas crowds throng Kochi-Muziris Biennale as art becomes the season’s quiet celebration

The Kochi-Muziris Biennale on Christmas Day turned into something quite special. Instead of competing with the season’s noise and festivity, it became a quieter form of celebration — a space for reflection, curiosity, and shared silence.

Crowds at Aspinwall House:
Families, students, tourists, and art lovers streamed into the heritage waterfront, making it a living, breathing cultural hub.

Actor Madhupal’s visit:
He was deeply moved by the installations, especially Sheba Chhachhi’s haunting video work, remarking that the Biennale cannot be fully experienced in a single day.

Government presence:
Harikishore S, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, visited the exhibitions, underscoring the Biennale’s growing stature as both an art event and a tourism landmark.

Atmosphere:
Inside the colonial godowns, light, video projections, and installations created layered meanings, inviting contemplation. Visitors lingered longer than planned, carrying away personal interpretations of the art.

Spirit of the day:
While the city indulged in festive lunches and siestas, the Biennale offered attentiveness, introspection, and a gentler rhythm — becoming part of Christmas itself rather than competing with it.

It’s fascinating how the Biennale has woven itself into Kochi’s cultural calendar as firmly as the monsoon and Christmas, offering an alternative way of inhabiting the season through art.