THE first Indian Cultural Congress is to take place in Kochi on December 20-21-22, 2026. The larger idea behind it is that in a context where the forces of bigotry and authoritarianism have occupied positions of power and prominence, the cultural and artistic community needs to send out a message of hope and positivity, to assert values of secularism, peace, justice, and equality. The Indian Cultural Congress, by bringing together a large number of artists and cultural practitioners, will send out just such a message.