PANAJI:
The culturally rich Semana da Cultura Indo Portuguesa (Goa) will complete a decade with the tenth edition of the event set to begin later this weekend. The annual event, is an effort to celebrate and appreciate the rich cultural flavours of the two nations – India and Portugal.
Like the earlier editions this year too will see a celebration of Indian and Portuguese culture including cinema, music, cuisine and more. The event will include a Film festival, concert by a Fadista, Fado singing competition, Music workshops, Photography exhibition and an evening of Indo Portuguese cuisine and music.
Antônio Chrystello Tavares is the Convenor of the Executive Committee while Francisco Martins is the Chairman of the Executive Committee planning the event.
Francisco Martins, Chairman of the Executive Committee planning the event said, “Indian and Portugal are both regions steeped in rich heritage and culture. India is a mingling of diverse cultures, all special in their own way. Goa too has its own unique identity and culture which is a blend of Indian and western nuances. Goa has assimilated the essence of both regions where people coexist in harmony and joy. Through this event Semana da Cultura Indo – Portuguesa (Goa) we would like to share and enjoy the essence of our diverse culture.”
The Semana Da Cultura Indo-Portuguesa (Goa) celebrations will kick off with the inaugural event at the iconic Hotel Mandovi with a discussion on ‘Portuguese Influence on Goan Culture’ moderated by author Alexandre Barbosa. Minister of IT, Mr. Rohan Khaunte will be the Chief Guest at the event. The panel of members which include historians Prajal Sakharande and Maria Lourdes Bravo de Costa, will discuss and deliberate on the subject in the distinguished presence of executive committee members and guests.
One of the key highlights of the cultural celebration is a two day culinary and music festival – ‘Evenings of Indo Portuguese Cuisine and Music’ which includes a sumptuous selection of Goan – Portuguese cuisine which also includes traditional delicacies. From the famed Bacalhau to the spicy Chorizo Pao one can find it all. Scheduled to be held on the 29th and 30th of November at Taleigao Community Centre, the event will see a host of Goan musicians perform through the evening.
Continuing with the celebrations, the Semana da Cultura Indo Portuguesa (Goa) will host the Fado singing competition on the 5th of December at Institute Menezes Braganza hall. The first ever fado singing competition which was held since -2013 saw a lot of young talent emerge. In an effort to encourage the beautiful art form, Semana da Cultura Indo Portuguesa (Goa) collaborates with Institute Menezes Braganza to host the fado singing competition each year and will continue to do so this year as well. Workshops will be held by Fadista Sonia Shirsat and Prof. Delfim Correia Da Silva.
Simultaneously, Semana da Cultura Indo Portuguesa (Goa) will also host a Photography Exhibition at Institute Menezes Braganza hall. A stunning selection of photographs from Pantaleão Fernandes’ newly launched coffee table book – Rare Portraits – will be on display. The exhibition will be on from 5th to 7th December.
Goa will roll out the red carpet for film aficionados as a Portuguese film festival will be held on the 8th, 9th and 10th of December at Maquinez Palace, Old GMC Complex. Curated by Nalini Elvino de Souza and Prof. Delfim Correia Da Silva the festival will screen a carefully selected selection of films over the 3 day festival.
Semana da Cultura Indo Portuguesa (Goa) have partnered with Fundação Oriente and Instituto Camões who are hosting a Fado concert by Portuguese Fadista “Ana Pinhal” and the popular annual musical event ‘Vem Cantar’.
Semana da Cultura Indo Portuguesa (Goa) was set up and established in the year 2008 at the initiative of the Portuguese Consulate in Goa and by various local organizations namely Indo Portuguese Friendship Society – Goa, Clube Vasco da Gama, Clube Nacional, Clube Harmonia , Institute Camões, Fundação Oriente and BPS Club Margao, with an aim and objective to maintain and keep alive the unique Goan culture and Goan identity. In the last decade Semana da Cultura Indo Portuguesa (Goa) has worked tirelessly to encourage and promote Goan and Portuguese culture including art, cuisine, films and other art forms through Goan and Portuguese artists who performed in Goa and delighted audiences. Taking the event beyond the shores of Goa, the fourth edition was held in Lisbon, Portugal.
Semana Da Cultura Indo-Portuguesa (Goa) is supported by the Consulate of Portugal, Clube Vasco-da-Gama, Clube National, Clube Harmonia, BPS Club, Indo-Portuguese Friendship Society, Fundação Oriente and Institute Camões.
