Top scholars to lead sessions at International Spice Routes Conference

The three-day International Spice Routes Conference scheduled in Kochi from January 6 will see convergence of eminent historians, archivists and scholars representing multiple disciplines engaging in absorbing conversations on the shared maritime and cultural heritage and its relevance in the present global narrative.

Event Details
- Dates: January 6–8, 2026
- Venue: Historic Bolgatty Palace, Ernakulam, Kochi
- Organizers: Muziris Heritage Projects in collaboration with the Kerala Tourism Department
- Participants: 38 international delegates from 22 countries, plus national scholars and practitioners

Key Scholars & Speakers
- Dr. Hugo Cardoso – Lisbon University, Portugal
- Prof. Istawan Perczel – Central European University, Austria
- Prof. Jajat Burhanudheen – Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta
- Prof. James Onley – American University of Sharjah
- Dr. Nia Deliana – Universitas Islam Internasional, Indonesia
- Dr. Sara Mondini – Ghent University, Belgium
- Dr. Akhila Yechury – University of St. Andrews, UK
- Dr. Sandhya Rao Mehta – Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
- Dr. Ophira Gamliel – University of Glasgow, UK
- Dr. Manal Ataya – Director, Sharjah Museums
- Dr. Peter Nagy – Qatar Museums
- Prof. Sher Banu A L – National University of Singapore

Highlight Sessions
Policy & Heritage Corridors:
- “Governing and Sustaining Transnational Heritage Corridors—Policy Pathways”
- Speakers: Dr. Venu V (former Chief Secretary, Kerala), Dr. Rima Hooja (ICOMOS India), Tim Curtis (UNESCO)
- Moderator: Mrs. Sikha Surendran, Director, Kerala Tourism

Opening Note:
- “Spice Routes: People, Goods and Ideas in Motion” – by Mrs. Sikha Surendran

Cultural Livelihoods:
- “Living Legacies—Cultural Livelihood of Spice Route”
- Featuring artists and practitioners like Rupeshkumar K (Responsible Tourism Mission), Dr. Richa Negi (Adi Drishya, IGNA), Dr. Mahesh S (Agasthya Kalari), Dr. Margi Madhu (Koodiyattom scholar), Dr. Rajeev Pulvar (Shadow Puppeteer)

Technology & Heritage:
- “Digital Spice Routes—Technology, Immersive Media and the Future of Heritage Interpretation”
- Panelists: Anoop Ambika (CEO, Kerala Startup Mission), Arun Ashok (Booking.com), Densil Antony (CEO, XR Horizon), Johan Kuruvila (Kochi Heritage Project)
- Moderator: Sharon V (MD, Muziris Projects Ltd.)

Significance
- The conclave will reframe the Spice Route not just as a trade corridor but as a cultural ecosystem that shaped societies across continents.
- It aims to strengthen cultural and heritage tourism and position Kerala as a living crossroads of global maritime civilization.