Chennapatnam or Madrasapatnam, now called Chennai, was founded way back in 1639 on August 22. Since then it has transformed from a sleepy hamlet into a vibrant metropolis.
To celebrate the founding of Madras, a group of Madras-lovers put their heads together and started celebrating its birthday from 2005.
This year’s Madras Week celebrations start on August 15 and may run the whole month.
Exhibitions and food festivals are being organised to showcase the rich heritage of Madras in all spheres. Educational institutions are expected to conduct quiz competitions and workshops focusing on Madras.
Heritage walks, talks on important landmarks of the city, speeches by renowned people of Madras are some of the events scheduled for Madras Week.
Several hotels in the city are hosting programmes to commemorate the week.
Historian S Muthiah of ‘Madras Musings’ feels that people should volunteer to share their experiences about this pulsating town.
This year, even foreign language institutes like Goethe Institute of Max Mueller Bhavan and Alliance Francaise, the French language institute, have decided to host many events.
Madrasis are gearing up to celebrate the birthday of their own city.
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