<P> The World Tamil Conference (Tamil: உலகத் தமிழ் மாநாடு) is a series of occasional conferences to discuss the social growth of the Tamil language . Each conference is attended by thousands of Tamil enthusiasts around the world . Conferences are hosted in various cities in India, as well as world cities with a significant Tamil population . The conference aims in promoting the heritage of Tamil language . </P> <P> A similar conference called World Classical Tamil Conference 2010, unapproved by the International Association for Tamil Research, was held in Tamil Nadu conducted by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam under the leadership of M. Karunanidhi . Not all agreed with the academic and intellectual rigour of the latter event . Despite these criticisms upholding such a huge event portraying the value of Tamil language and culture is being appreciated vastly and credited to the DMK supremo as commonly believed by the people in the state of Tamil Nadu . </P> <P> The next conference will be held on July 3 - 4, 2019 in Chicago . The 10th conference will be jointly hosted by Federation of Tamil Sangams in North America (FeTNA) and Chicago Tamil Sangam (CTS). </P>

Where was the first world classical tamil conference held