First-ever Global Malayalee Festival in Kochi, 1,600 NRKs to Meet in Aug 2025

KOCHI:
More than 1,600 people of Kerala origin from around 100 countries will converge in the city next year to take part in a pioneering three-day Global Malayalee Festival coinciding with the country’s Independence Day celebrations.

The gala 2025 event at Le Meridien Hotel in suburban Kundannoor on August 14, 15 and 16 will give away an array of Global Malayalee Ratna awards, besides hosting a Global Malayalee beauty contest and other cultural programmes, organisers said.

The Global Malayalee Ratna award is being given for excellence in nine fields: science, technology, medicine, engineering, economics, art, drama, social service and political activity. Delegates from any country, but with a Malayalee parent, can participate in the beauty contest (18-25 years), which will be held on August 15. The middle day of the celebrations will also see the delegates celebrating Independence Day with a parade, art-shows and various competitions, among others.

The celebrations, amid the cultural extravaganza, will also feature a grand Onasadya feast and snake-boat race on the Kochi backwaters, besides a Kerala Trade and Investment Meet. Organisers said they expected participation of new-generation Malayalees from all over the world, urging them to attend the celebrations to “discover our roots, heritage and bond beyond borders”.

“Our vision is to develop a strong interconnected community of Malayalees around the globe. The primary focus is to uphold and share the Malayalee culture and continue their connection for generations to come,” a top organiser revealed.

The three days event will enable the participants to mingle together, introduce each other and develop global deanships. The delegates will be able to build a bridge between the growing diaspora of Malayalee in more than 102 countries. “We want to give an opportunity to Malayalees in Kerala and India to create friendship with Malayalees born and brought up in other countries,” an organiser said.

Le Meridien has a capacity for 1,600 people, and entry will be facilitated through registrations on first-come-first-served basis. After the festival, organisers will be arranging special Keral tours for those who want to explore the state’s scenic beauty. For more information, www.globalmalayaleefestival.com or contact through email: registration@globalmalayaleefestival.com.

The festival is being organized with the aim of promoting bond between members of the community spread across the world and strengthening the contribution of non-resident Malayalis in the social and economic investments in Kerala.