The Bihar Museum will host its third international biennale from August 7 to December 31, 2025, focusing on cultural connections across the Global South under the theme “Global South: Sharing histories.”
The event will feature participation from eight countries including Sri Lanka, Mexico, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Peru, Argentina, Kazakhstan, and Ecuador, alongside contributions from major Indian cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, and the Mehrangarh Museum Trust.
Director General Anjani Kumar Singh will oversee the biennale, which aims to foster dialogue between museums and cultural institutions across Asia, Latin America, Africa, and India. The event’s visual identity draws from the Tree of Life symbol, incorporating design elements from African baobab trees, Asian peepal leaves, and South American textile traditions.
Exhibition highlights include a comprehensive display of traditional masks from three continents, Ramayana-inspired artifacts from twenty countries presented by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and contemporary works exploring themes of identity and cultural memory. The Sri Lankan pavilion will showcase works by artists Jagath Ravindra, Pinki Madewala, and Shanaka Kulathunga, while Mexico’s contribution features visual artist Eva Malhotra’s Maya-inspired pieces alongside pre-Hispanic artifacts.
Indonesian and Ethiopian exhibitions will explore civilizational connections and contemporary artistic expressions respectively. Later in the program, Peru will present textile traditions and pre-Inca ceramics, while Argentina offers a photographic journey through the country’s landscapes and culture.
The academic program includes symposiums on museum ethics, cross-cultural music traditions, mask-making practices, and architectural narratives. Sessions will feature experts from participating countries discussing topics ranging from feminine symbolism in material culture to the role of music as cultural memory.
Opening ceremonies begin August 8 with addresses by South African High Commissioner Anil Sooklal and UNESCO India Director Tim Curtis. Cultural performances by Indonesian and Thai troupes are scheduled for the opening week.
The biennale represents an expansion of the Bihar Museum’s international cultural exchange program, building on previous editions to create a platform for South-South cultural dialogue and collaboration.
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