As there were no grand cultural events for the past couple of years owing to the pandemic, the authorities seem determined to make this year’s arts festival a memorable one.

Apparently, Kozhikode has been gearing up for the festival for over a month now. A total of 24 venues have been set up and these are expected to witness the participation of about 14,000 students in 239 events.

Accommodation for students have been arranged in 20 schools and food will be served to around 17,000 people per day at the Malabar Christian Grounds. Google map facilities have also been arranged for facilitating easy transportation to the venues.

Kozhikode city, which had witnessed its first Kalolsavam in 1960, is now hosting the festival for the eighth time. Earlier, the district had witnessed the festival in 1976, 1987, 1994, 2002, 2010 and 2015.

This year, the festival will be flagged off by general education director K Jeevan Babu on January 3 at Captain Vikram Maidan in West Hill. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event at 10 am.

Meanwhile, the kalolsavam registration will be inaugurated by Education Minister V Sivankutty at 11 am on Tuesday.

‘Special registration counters have been set up for each district. All necessary facilities have been arranged for the participants. We expect to finish the process by today itself,’ said Anilkumar K, an official of the festival registration committee.

‘However, if the registration prolongs, then participants can do it tomorrow as well,’ he added.