Launch of Ahmedabad Cultural Heritage Cluster (ACHC) and the Ahmedabad Heritage Venture Lab (AHVL)
The Centre for Heritage Management, Ahmedabad University along with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), and 3 Spanish partners, City Council of Valladolid, University of Valladolid and Casa de la India, have won a prestigious EU-funded project on December 2013 for a “Cultural Heritage and Management Venture Lab” in Ahmedabad by the European Commission. The City Heritage Centre (CHC) and Urban Management Centre (UMC), two Ahmedabad-based NGOs, and the EVoCH platform and CEARCAL from Spain are associate partners in the project.
As part of the project funded by the European Union, an event to launch the Ahmedabad Cultural Heritage Cluster (ACHC) & the Ahmedabad Heritage Venture Lab (AHVL) was held on December 7, 2014. The event was attended by the Mayor of Ahmedabad, Smt Minaxiben Patel and the Deputy Head of Mission in Embassy of Spain, New Delhi H.E. Ms Magdalena Cruz Yabar among other dignitaries. It was held at the Ahmedabad Municipal Commission’s Civic Centre at Ellisbridge, Law Garden.
The two entities, ACHC and AHVL are mandated by the EU-funded project. The centre along with its partners had undertaken a detailed stakeholder analysis through mapping and diagnostic studies of various actors in heritage management, crafts and tourism sector. The ACHC aims to provide technical support and networking opportunities to its stakeholders. Likewise, Ahmedabad Heritage Venture Lab will serve these stakeholders of the Ahmedabad Cultural Heritage Cluster as an association and promote new business initiatives in heritage and culture, integrating them to the market and creating networks.
The launch was attended by dignitaries of all the partners of the project and various stakeholders of the cultural heritage cluster. The launch was attended by dignitaries of all the partners of the project and various stakeholders of the cultural heritage cluster. Shri Debashish Nayak, Director, Centre for Heritage Management, Ahmedabad welcomed the distinguished guests. Shri C K Koshy, chief executive of the Centre for Heritage Management and Mr Guillermo Rodriguez, Director, Casa de la India in Spain spoke on the occasion dwelling on the various aspects of the Ahmedabad Cultural Heritage Cluster and the Venture Lab.
Speaking on the occasion, the Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad, Ms D Thara, IAS talked about the vibrant cultural heritage sector of Ahmedabad which will be nourished under this cluster and the proposed Venture Lab. Dr Shailendra Mehta, Provost, Ahmedabad University highlighted the ways in which the cluster will act as a platform to build economic sustainability for the cultural heritage sector.
In her address, the chief guest of the event, HE Ms Magdalena Cruz Yabar, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Spain in New Delhi talked about the long-term ties between Spain and Ahmedabad, and how this cluster and Venture Lab will be a remarkable value-addition to boost further collaborative efforts towards preserving heritage.
Mr Guillermo Rodriguez, Director, Casa de la India in Spain spoke on the occasion. The Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad, Smt D Thara was also present along with the Provost of Ahmedabad University, Dr Shailendra Raj Mehta among other dignitaries.
The launch event concluded a live performance of Bhavai, a dance form pertaining to the Performing Arts Cluster of Ahmedabad Cultural Heritage Cluster. Earlier in the evening, a colourful exhibition showcasing the creations of the stakeholders of the ACHC enthralled the dignitaries and the visitors alike.
