Kochi: One month after the Kochi Muziris Biennale started, nearly 2 lakh visitors have walked in to watch one of the biggest art extravaganzas. The figure takes into account both ticketed and non-ticketed entries to the 12 Biennale venues as also the crowds that have turned up for an ongoing series of special offerings, including seminars, film screenings, music and dance performances.
The high turnout exceeds the first and second editions of the Biennale. In the 2012 and 2014 editions, the Biennale had four lakh and five lakh visitors respectively.
"The 'people's Biennale' is living up to its reputation. Its popularity reflects the positive impact the event has had on not only art and culture in the state, but also the economy and tourism sector.
“The Biennale has become an important gateway between Kerala and the world," said Minister for Tourism Kadakampally Surendran. Big crowd of visitors outside the venues, especially in Aspinwall House has been a regular sight over the past month - especially after the introduction of free entry on Mondays. The two Mondays, December 26 and January 2, during the year-end holidays period registered record one-day turnouts of 20,000 and 25,000 visitors respectively.
