The fifth edition of the Semana da Cultura Indo Portuguesa (Goa) is all set to begin next month. Like the earlier editions this year too will see a celebration of Indian and Portuguese culture including art, cinema, music, cuisine, theatre, literature and more. The event beginning from October 2013 and culminating in January 2014 will include an art exhibition by celebrated Goan artists, plays and tiatrs, musical evenings, a film festival, concerts and get-togethers. The event is an effort to celebrate and appreciate the rich cultural flavours of the two nations.
Semana da Cultura Indo Portuguesa (Goa) was set up and established in the year 2008 by various local organizations namely Indo Portuguese Friendship Society – Goa, Clube Vasco da Gama, Clube Nacional, Clube Harmonia Centro de Língua Portuguesa/Camões, Fundação Oriente and BPS Club Margao,, with an aim and objective to maintain and keep alive the unique Goan culture and Goan identity. The earlier editions of the Semana held in the previous years have all portrayed Goan culture including art, cuisine, films and other art forms through Goan and Portuguese artists who performed in Goa and delighted Goan audiences. Taking the event beyond the shores of Goa, the fourth edition was held last year in Lisbon, Portugal.
Jose Elmano Coelho Pereira, Chairman of the Executive Committee planning the event said, “Indian and Portugal, both regions are 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 and keep the unique Goan identity alive.”
Dr. Antonio Sabido Costa, Consul General of Portugal in Goa and Convenor of the Committee added, “ Throughout the event we hope to offer a diversified presentation of some of the most innovative and contemporary art forms and creators, each of which are .rooted in our traditional culture.”
This festival is a mélange of several unique events with a distinct Indian and Portuguese flavor. The three month long Semana Da Cultura Indo-Portuguesa (Goa) celebrations will kick off on the 25st of October with an evening of art and music at Sunaparanta, Altinho, Panjim. The soiree will host an exhibition by four brilliant artists – Salvador Fernandes, Harshada Kerkar, Loretti Pinto and Rajesh Salgaoncar.
Continuing with the celebrations, 27th October will see a Portuguese Play and Konkani Programme with a Tiatr- Adlo ani Atamcho being staged at Ravindra Bhavan in Margao. Created and directed by celebrated Goan tiatrist Tomazinho Cardozo, the tiatr showcases the history of the local art form. The Portuguese play directed by Prof. Delfim Correia da Silva, lecturer of Portuguese at Goa University and Director, Centro de Língua Portuguesa/Camões is an adaptation of O Genro-Comensal, a short story written by noted writer and poet Vimala Devi.
This year the Semana da Cultura Indo Portuguesa (Goa) will host the first ever fado singing competition on the 10th of November at Institute Menezes Braganza hall. The Fado, the traditional Portuguese music genre and art form can be traced back to the early 1800s. Goa’s celebrated Fado singer Sonia Sirsat will hold a special workshop with the contestants at Fundação Oriente to train them and hone their skills.
This edition of Semana da Cultura Indo Portuguesa (Goa) is especially significant because it will see the launch of Goa’s first ever Fado Club. Enormous interest in the musical art form has resulted in the formation of this club.
One of the key highlights of the three month long festivities is a two-day Food and Music Festival which includes a sumptuous selection of Goan – Portuguese cuisine which also includes traditional Goan Saraswat delicacies. Scheduled to be held on the 2nd and 3rd of December at Taleigao Community centre, the event will see a host of Goan musicians perform through the evenings, some of who include Veeam Braganza, Belinda and the Tropicanos, Orlando Noronha, Nayantara lima Leitao, Vishali Joshi, Zezinho, Lulu Fortes, The Cotta family, Sidhanath Buyao, Archies and Dances of Goa by Phaldessai, among many others. Additionally the third edition of the book Semana Da Cultura Indo-Portuguesa (Goa) will also be unveiled at the event. Curated by Vivek Menezes, the book contains contributions from some of the best Goan writers from India and Portugal.
A Goan Portuguese Film Festival from the 6th-10th December, a fado concert, Short story recitals and dances are some of the other events planned during the three months.
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 Centro de Língua Portuguesa/Camões