Kochi–Muziris Biennale Sees Over 1.6 Lakh Visitors in 20 Days

Kochi: The Kochi–Muziris Biennale has recorded a strong public response, with around 1.6 lakh visitors attending the contemporary art festival in its first 20 days, from December 12 to December 31, 2025, according to the organisers.

The Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) said the numbers point to steady tourist interest as well as a growing local audience, many of whom are visiting the Biennale more than once to experience the scale and variety of this edition. Organisers noted that repeated visits indicate deeper public engagement with the artworks and venues.

KBF said it has introduced AI-based data tools to strengthen visitor management and analysis. These systems are expected to provide clearer insights into visitor flow, peak hours, popular venues and audience behaviour in the coming weeks, helping organisers improve crowd management and outreach.

KBF Chairperson Dr. Venu V said this edition stands out for its wider artistic and geographical spread. He noted that the inclusion of performative art has added a new dimension to the Biennale, encouraging visitors to return and explore different forms of artistic expression.

Unlike earlier editions that were concentrated in a few main locations, the current Biennale is spread across a larger number of sites, including historic buildings, warehouses, public spaces and neighbourhood venues across the city.

KBF CEO Thomas Varghese said the Biennale is being held across 29 venues, of which only six require tickets. He pointed out that several popular spaces, including the Art by Children and the Students’ Biennale, are open without tickets, making it difficult to accurately count visitors at these locations. The large number of non-ticketed venues, he said, has contributed significantly to the overall rise in footfall.

Organisers said the mix of diverse venues and performance-based works has encouraged audiences to explore the Biennale in stages, often discovering new installations, live events and evolving works during repeat visits.

With several weeks of exhibitions and programmes still remaining, the Kochi Biennale Foundation expects visitor numbers to increase further in January and February, supported by school holidays, tourist arrivals and word-of-mouth interest. The Biennale will conclude on March 31.