Several engaging and immersive events were planned as part of the first Festival of Places 7-9th April 2017 providing a unique opportunity for people to experience a variety of places in the three cities of Delhi, Kolkata and Lucknow. Vibrant and meaningful places in the three focus cities were explored through interdisciplinary conversations, discussions and multiple media presentations. On each day of the festival talks, discussion forums, soundscapes, short films, documentaries, architectural, art and photography exhibitions, poster making and photography competition, performances, display of crafts and cuisines was organized to highlight hitherto unknown dimensions of places in the three cities.

The festival was inaugurated on the 7th April, 2017 by Member Secretary, IGNCA Dr Sachchidan and Joshi and Mr. Shigeru Aoyagi Director and UNESCO Representative to Bhutan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka. The valedictory session on 9th April, 2017 was graced by Joint Secretary, IGNCA Smt. Vinita Srivastava. The main highlight of the Festival were Place Talks that helped understand various places in the focus cities from the eyes of professionals coming from different disciplines. The speakers highlighted distinct characteristics of places in the cities and unravelled the bond that people have with places, a connection that lives through their experiences and memories. Apart from this there were special talk sessions on Indian and International Place-making and Place-centered Initiatives that have been successful in creatively revitalizing public spaces in cities.

Place Forums during the day helped evoke discussions with the audience on the state of public places; pushed forward the agenda of place led development of cities, especially promotion of cities as centers of creativity and knowledge. Presentations and short films highlighted how culture and creativity can become drivers for development of places and cities.

The festival attracted several eminent speakers from Delhi Kolkata and Lucknow. On each day in the evening city specific Place Performances were organized. On Day 1 focused on Delhi and day 3 focused on Lucknow. The three day event was attended by more than 1000 people from across Delhi and NCR. Architectural and photographic exhibitions on places from the three focus cities were organized to bring out their hidden tangible and intangible attributes and relevance in the larger milieu of the city as part of the exhibition titled Place Perceptions. Apart from this an online photography competition was organized giving an opportunity to people to explore the unique places in their city and neighborhood, exploring the myriad hues of places and the spaces that make it, highlighting the challenges and threats being faced by them through the medium of photography.

Festival of Places also gave the school children an opportunity to express and put across their thoughts about people, places and memories by making unique posters. On day 1 of the festival a special event for school children was organized to express their ideas on Public Spaces in cities using art as a medium. The poster making session was followed by an interactive session on the importance and process of recycling of waste materials. The children also got an opportunity to learn more about urban living, cities and public places through talks and discussions. More than 180 students from 19 schools across Delhi and NCR participated in the event. Apart from this craft and creative workshops on bamboo basketery, kantha embroidery, pattachitra, storytelling, sketching and clay doll making were organized for children.

A unique ‘Place Studio’ was organized as part of the Festival of Places 2017 inviting students of Architecture and Design from 18 colleges in Delhi and NCR to participate. Student teams of 4 students each were required to select a vibrant ‘Public Space’ from any city in India and create an artwork based on the selected public space at the venue. The artwork had to capture the ‘Spirit of the Place.