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City As Museum Festival
City As Museum Festival | UNESCO World Heritage Week | KNMA X Tales of City
Date: 19 Nov 24 to 24 Nov 24
The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art presents ‘City as Museum’, a thoughtfully curated series of guided walks across Delhi, led by experts from various artistic fields. This initiative brings attention to significant areas within Delhi and the National Capital Region that have historically served as cultural and creative hubs, inspiring artists and historians alike. The City as Museum concept is an original vision of the museum’s curatorial team.
UNESCO World Heritage Week is celebrated globally each year to raise awareness of the need to preserve and protect UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites. The week focuses on the value of these sites for humanity, fostering conservation efforts and encouraging public appreciation for the diversity of global heritage. During this week, a range of activities—such as exhibitions, guided tours, discussions, and educational programs—are held at heritage sites and museums to engage the public and emphasize the need to protect these cultural treasures for future generations. This year, World Heritage Week will be observed from November 19th to 25th, coinciding with key international heritage dates, and fostering a deeper understanding of the historical, architectural, and environmental significance of World Heritage Sites.
During this time period KNMA is organizing a series of special curated walks in the cities with distinguished historians, scholars, architects and artists in collaboration with Tales of City. First launched in 2022, KNMA is excited to mark its completion of two successful years with a special series of walks centred around the Delhi NCR. The festival will conclude with a panel discussion on the final day, highlighting its impact and future direction.
Tales of City
Founded by Sufiyan, a cultural revivalist and advocate for sustainable cultural tourism based in Delhi, Tales of City has become a leading platform for immersive, carefully curated journeys through India’s historically and culturally rich cities. Operating in Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar, Manali, Lucknow, Agra, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Varanasi, with an expanding presence in other cities, Tales of City offers engaging experiences that connect travelers with India’s heritage through heritage walks, photowalks, culinary explorations, and food pop-ups celebrating local flavors and traditions.
Sufiyan’s vision for Tales of City is to celebrate and preserve India’s cultural legacy by offering thoughtfully crafted, story-driven experiences. Collaborating with esteemed authors like Rana Safvi, Ira Mukhoty, Swapna Liddle, Sadaf Hussain, William Dalrymple, Ashwitha Jayakumar, Nikhil Gulati, and Ambika Bhardwaj, as well as renowned photographer Taha Ahmed, Tales of City provides unparalleled insights into the art, history, and cultural fabric of India’s most iconic destinations.
Schedule
Day 1
Ruins and Remnants
Mehrauli’s Saga with Author William Dalrymple, followed by a conversation with with Author Prerna Jain
19th November; 04pm – 06pm
Location: Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Interpretation Centre
Day 2
‘Sufi Souls and Qawwali Echoes’
The Light of Delhi: life and teachings of Hazrat Chiragh-e-Delhi, and what is sufism with Rana Safvi
20th November; 04pm – 06pm
Meeting point: Pracheen Shiv Mandir
Nearest Metro Station: Chirag Delhi Gate 4, take an auto to Pracheen Shiv Mandir
Day 3
In the Shadows of the Empire
The Humayun's Tomb Complex and the Legacy of the Mughal Matriarchs with Author Ira Mukhoty
21th November; 5.30pm – 8pm
Meeting point: Humayun's Tomb Ticket counter
Nearest Metro Station: JLN Stadium, Nizamuddin (pink line)
Day 4
Stein-a-bad
Delhi’s Post Independence Built Environment: Session 1
22th November; 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Meeting point: Glass house, Lodhi Garden
Nearest Metro Station: Jor Bagh Metro station Gate no 1
‘Delhi's Modernist Skyline’
Revamped Architecture in Delhi, Post Independence Era: Session 2 at Chunnamal Haveli
22th November; 06:30pm – 8pm
Meeting point: Chunnamal Haveli
Nearest Metro Station: Lal Quila or Chandni Chowk
Day 5
From Colony to Republic
Special Walk of Samvidhan Sadan with Author & Historian Swapna Liddle: Session 3
23th November; 10:30am onwards
Meeting point: Vijay Chowk parking lot
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MvVkhiaEumyavvWB9
Nearest Metro Station: Central Secretariat Gate no 4
(This is a special walk-the participants will have to follow the samvidhan sadan’s security protocols. Please carry and share a copy of your valid ID proof on info@knma.org
Point of contact: Isha Shreya-Singh - +919509459614, Abu Sufiyaan- +9196435 33224)
Buried in History
Discovering the secrets of the Sultan-e-garhi tomb with Suhail Hashmi
23th November; 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Meeting point: Sultangarhi entrance
Nearest Metro Station: Chattarpur
Day 6
'mīr' o 'ġhālib' kī dillī
Get ready to walk with a cultural icon whose identity is a surprise! They’ll take you on an unforgettable journey, sharing captivating stories, hidden histories, and a unique perspective like no other!
Date: 24 Nov 24
Time: 4.30pm - 8.00pm
Meeting point: Chunnamal Haveli
Nearest metro: Chandni Chowk
