Thrissur: The trophy made of 117sovereigns of gold that will be handed over to the district that comes first in the State School Youth Festival was brought to the main venue of the fest ‘Neermathalam’ at Thekkinkkad Maidan on Thursday.
Ministers C Raveedranath, V S Sunil Kumar and A C Moideen along with other officials received the trophy at Kadavallur at Thrissur-Palakkad border at 11 a.m. and after taking it to various schools in a procession, the golden trophy reached the main venue of the fest at 3.45 p.m.
The trophy was with the winners of last year, Kozhikode, and it will be kept in the Thrissur Treasury before handing it over to the new winners at the fest.
Speaking to mediapersons in Thrissur, the organizers of the fest said on Thursday that the mega event would be brought to the notice of UNESCO as it is the largest of its kind in Asia.
“From next year, the fest will be part of the tourism calendar as well. The Tourism Department will take necessary action in this regard,” Thrissur Collector A Kowsigan said.
‘Fest will be a historic one’
Education Minister C Raveendranath said that the 58th fest to be held here from January 6 to 10 would create history for its simplicity.
“Our effort is to keep off competition and make it a celebration. Students getting 80 marks by presenting their artistic talent will be given A grade. As per the amended manual, creativity and artistic talent need to be kept above costumes and other decorations. For the first time, all the participants will be given a trophy,” he said.
Nearly 90 percent of judges at the fest are those who have not taken part in the state fest in the last two years and in almost all the events, experts would be in the judging panel, he added.
In association with the postal department, the winners of each category can get their postal stamps printed by making the necessary payment at the postal department’s stall at the venue. All the participants, public and mediapersons attending the fest will be having insurance coverage.
