International Heritage Day on Dec 27

The city that houses some of the state’s most exciting historical sites, Fort Kochi, will be celebrating International Heritage Day on December 27 at 4.30 pm at the premises of St. Francis Church. It coincides with the 508 years of existence of St Francis Church at Fort Kochi.

Built in the year 1503, by the Portuguese, it was the first European church in India. The church was erected by the Portuguese with the consent of Kochi Raja Godha Varma, who was reigning at that time.

Dr Charles Dias MP will inaugurate the function and Dr K A Simon, Director; Institute of Kunjali Marakar Engineering College, Cochin University will be the Chief Guest. Since the last two years, it has been celebrated as ‘International Heritage Day’ and prior to that as ‘International Tourism Day’.

The event aims at attending to the preservation of heritage buildings in and around Fort Kochi, this year. “Lack of maintenance and preservation are so evident during tourist visits in the rainy season, when the roofs can be seen leaking” says Austin Paul, President of International Forum for Cultural Heritage and Tradition.