Kochi-Muziris Biennale closes sixth edition with 7 lakh visitors, organisers hail ‘People’s Biennale’ success

Next edition of the Biennale will begin on December 12, 2027

Kochi / March 31, 2026

Kochi, Mar 31: The sixth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale concluded on Tuesday evening, transforming the historic port city into an inclusive cultural hub for over three months.

Dr Venu V, chairperson of the Kochi Biennale Foundation, said that while the curtains were being drawn on the sixth edition, the creative energies generated during the festival would continue to inspire artists across the world. He described the edition as “highly successful”, citing strong participation from artists, diverse themes, and wide public engagement.

The biennale featured 29 venues across Kochi, the highest in the event’s history. All venues recorded significant footfall throughout the festival, providing what organisers called “massive encouragement” for participating artists.

He said the total number of visitors reached seven lakh, underlining the event’s growing stature as one of the world’s vibrant contemporary art platforms. Since its debut in 2012, the biennale has steadily positioned itself as a sought-after international art event.

He announced that the next edition of the Biennale will begin on December 12, 2027.

Artist-curator Nikhil Chopra described his role at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale as the “longest durational performance” of his career, saying the experience had been both exhausting and deeply transformative.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Chopra said accepting the curatorial responsibility had been challenging but was made possible by the support of HH Art Spaces, which he called his “incredible family”. He emphasised that the biennale was rooted in friendship and trust, noting that collaboration and shared belief were central to bringing the event to life.

Chopra said he was particularly moved by the new friendships formed over the past year and a half and highlighted the strong public response, from students and young visitors to elderly audiences. He added that the curiosity and joy witnessed across diverse groups made the biennale one of the most meaningful experiences of his career.

Kochi Biennale Foundation CEO Thomas Varghese said the Kochi-Muziris Biennale is more than an art festival, describing it as a space for learning, sharing and community participation, as the sixth edition drew to a close.

Reflecting on his 22-month tenure, Varghese noted that the biennale, often called the “People’s Biennale,” was brought to life by the collective effort of hundreds of individuals across 29 venues. He said the event embodied curiosity, adventure and a spirit of learning, adding that the labour of artists, workers, volunteers and organisers made the edition possible “against all odds”.

He emphasised that the conclusion of the exhibition marked “not the end, but the rebirth of belief” in what collaboration can achieve. Varghese thanked teams across administration, production, programmes, hospitality, and communications, along with contractors, technicians and trade workers who transformed warehouses into exhibition-ready spaces.

The CEO also acknowledged the contributions of more than 140 volunteers, art mediators and support staff for enhancing visitor engagement and ensuring smooth operations during the festival. He credited partners including community initiatives such as Kudumbashree and civic support from Kochi Corporation for helping deliver services to visitors.

Varghese concluded by expressing gratitude to curators, artists and the wider public, saying the “human spirit” behind the biennale had helped deliver one of its most widely appreciated editions.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Chief General Manager (HR) George Thomas distributed mementos to the team members.

The closing ceremony was followed by a free live concert by Parvaaz.

ENDS