Kochi Biennale Draws to an Emotional Close with Ceremonial Flag-Lowering

KOCHI:
The sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) drew to a close on Tuesday evening, wrapped in a mood of quiet reflection and emotional resonance, as artists, organisers, volunteers and the public gathered to bid adieu to one of the country’s most significant cultural events.

At the historic Aspinwall House, the symbolic kodiyirakkam (flag-lowering) ceremony marked the conclusion of months of artistic exchange and lived experiences.

Curator Nikhil Chopra lowered the ceremonial flag, bringing the curtains down on an edition that transformed the contemporary art spaces and relationships alike.

The ceremony was attended by Dr Venu V, Chairperson of the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF); CEO Thomas Varghese; writer N. S. Madhavan; former Kochi Mayor K. J. Sohan; and KBF Programme Director Mario D’Souza, along with a large gathering of art coordinators, volunteers, and visitors who had been part of the Biennale’s journey.

Visibly moved, Chopra reflected on the transformative nature of the experience.

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I leave with enduring memories, deep friendships, and collaborations. This journey has changed me; I am not the same person I was three months ago. Kochi has opened doors and taken me to places I had never imagined,” he said, describing the Biennale as a space that fosters meaningful encounters and creative exchange.

Dr Venu talked about the deeper symbolism of the closing ritual, noting that the kodiyirakkam is both an end and a beginning.

“This ceremony connects us to tradition, but it also marks the start of our next journey. As this flag comes down, our thoughts turn to the next Biennale. The deadline begins now,” he said.

He announced that the next edition of the Biennale will open on December 12, 2027, promising an event of even greater scale and ambition.

As the flag descended against the scorching March sun, the moment captured the essence of the Biennale, an ephemeral yet enduring confluence of art, people and place, leaving behind not just installations, but imprints of shared experience that will linger until the next gathering.