The historic port city of Kochi witnessed the successful conclusion of the first-ever International Spice Routes Conference this Thursday. The three-day event delved deep into the maritime networks that once made Kerala a pivotal hub for global spice commerce and cross-cultural interactions.
A Confluence of Academia, Culture, and Policy
Organized by the Kerala Tourism Department in partnership with the Muziris Heritage Project, the conference served as a major global platform. It attracted a diverse group of over 1,000 delegates from 22 different countries. The participants included academics, performers, curators, policy makers, and tourism professionals from India and abroad, with around 55 speakers sharing insights across various fields.
The final day was marked by a poignant cultural presentation titled 'Karkuzhali'. This programme highlighted the unique musical traditions of the Jewish women who once lived in Kerala. The collection of songs, orally preserved in central Kerala, was originally compiled by the late scholar Skaria Zacharia. Renowned playback singer Resmi Sateesh gave voice to these melodies during the event. The formal release of the book version of this collection was undertaken by Ramesh Kurup, the Municipal Chairperson of Paravur.
Launch of the 'Spice Journeys' Initiative
A significant outcome of the conference was the launch of the ambitious 'Spice Journeys' initiative. This project proposes to develop 33 distinct heritage trails spanning the length of Kerala, from Kasaragod in the north to Kollam in the south. These trails are meticulously designed to offer travelers an immersive, experiential journey connected directly to the state's rich spice trade legacy.
Thematic Discussions and Experiential Learning
The conference sessions covered a wide array of critical themes relevant to heritage and tourism today. Key discussion points included governing and sustaining transnational heritage corridors, embedding sustainability in heritage tourism, and creatively reimagining the spice routes for modern travelers. Other focal areas were digital spice routes, new perspectives on Muziris, and preserving regional knowledge traditions.
To provide a tangible connection to the topics discussed, the organizers arranged an experiential tour of key Muziris heritage sites for the delegates. This insightful journey covered important historical locations stretching from Kochi to Kodungallur, allowing participants to walk in the footsteps of ancient traders.
The conference has firmly positioned Kerala's historic spice routes on the global map of cultural tourism. By blending scholarly discourse with cultural revival and actionable tourism projects like Spice Journeys, the event has laid a strong foundation for sustainable and experiential travel rooted in Kerala's glorious past.
