Goethe-Institut also known as Max Mueller Bhavan is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organisatiosn promotes knowledge of the German language and fosters international cultural cooperation. Its journey in Chennai began in 1960. Over these 60 and more years, the organisation has worked from various buildings and along with varied partners from all fields to promote the local and global culture, language, and heritage of both countries.
As a tribute to Madras, Goethe-Institut has designed and developed a city walk project this year that highlights the hidden stories, the local history and culture of three prominent areas in Madras. Curated by experts in the field of heritage walks along with interns, these walks aim to throw light on unheard stories and bring in the experience of the local culture, architecture, lifestyle, and delicacies.
As a curtain raiser to the city walk project, on August 7, 2023, at 5.00pm, Goethe-Institut celebrates Madras with various events lined up to transport us to Madras days and explore the multifacetedness of the city. Mr. K R A Narasiah, Mr. Diwakar Subramaniam, Singer Monali Bala and Parai Artist Mr. Deepan inquire into what makes Madras unique through stories, sounds, songs, and beats, with nostalgia assured.
Dr. Niveditha Louis, Historian, Author, and Feminist Activist has curated the Hidden Treasures of Washermanpet walk. Mr. Ramanujar Moulana of Cycling Yogis fame has curated the Global presence in George Town Walk. Ms. Tirupurasundari Sevvel, Architect, Heritage Conservationist and Author has curated the Aminjikarai: Explore the new and the old walk. These city walks are done by interns, selected, and trained exclusively for this project by the trainers under the aegis of Goethe-Institut Chennai. Walks are done both in English and Tamil to cater to the wider audience of Chennai.
The schedule of the walks is as below.
To participate in these walks, registration is compulsory. Please write to library-chennai@goethe.de to register for the walk.
Goethe-Institut’s City Walks
| Date | Time | Walk | |||
| Tuesday, August 22, 2023 | 6.30 – 8.30am(Morning) | Global Heritage of George Town | |||
| Tuesday, August 22, 2023 | 5.00 – 7.00pm(Evening) | Aminjikarai: Exploring the new and the old | |||
| Friday, August 25, 2023 | 4.30 – 6.30pm(Evening) | Hidden Treasures of Washermanpet | |||
| Saturday, August 26, 2023 | 6.30 – 8.30am(Morning) | Global Heritage of George Town | |||
| Sunday, August 27, 2023 | 6.30 – 8.30am(Morning) | Aminjikarai: Exploring the new and the old |
கோதே நிறுவனத்தின் மரபு நடைகள்
| தேதி | நேரம் | நடையின் பெயர் | |||
| புதன், ஆகஸ்ட் 9, 2023 | 4.30 – 6.30pm(மாலை) | வண்ணாரப்பேட்டையும் அறியா கதைகளும் | |||
| சனி , ஆகஸ்ட் 19, 2023 | 4.30 – 6.30pm(மாலை) | வண்ணாரப்பேட்டையும் அறியா கதைகளும் |