While it is true that one who embodies Goan spirit needs not
a reason to celebrate, for every waking moment is cause for celebration enough,
today marks a day with special cause. Today is World Goa Day, a day when Goans,
no matter which pocket of the planet they might be ensconced in, come together
to truly celebrate who and what they are, to showcase their heritage and most
of all, to display the true sense of joie-de-vivre that is so trademark Goan.
“World Goa Day is a day set aside by Goans, wherever they
may be, to celebrate their Goan cultural heritage, identity and all things that
are Goan. It is a day that marks the celebration of Goan culture, cuisine, art,
music and all things Goan,” says Rene Barreto, one of the pioneers behind
founding the occasion.
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Along with events in Goa itself, many Goan communities in
other have joined in the festivities. Portugal is one place that shares a
strong link with Goa. Maria José Leite, who has been involved with the
organisation of the event there, says, “We first held the event in Porto for
the first time in 2013 before hosting it once again before AICEM (Associação do
Idioma e Culturas em Português) in Maia-Porto 2014. We gauged people’s
reactions and saw that they liked it and felt much emotion through the sharing
of Goan culture. Young Goan performers came forward to contribute for no reason
other than the sharing and dissemination of culture and the bonds of fraternal
friendship.”
Making it early to the party, one particular venue
celebrated World Goa Day much before many others. Assado in London hosted its
very first celebration on June 13, 2014. With members of London’s Goan
community making way to the new Goan-Portuguese restaurant for a taste of live
Goan music and cuisine.
The Canadian community of Goans celebrated the day on August
9 due to the convenience of planning it on the weekend. A large gathering of various members of the
community congregated at Bronte Creek Park in Toronto, where, in true Goan
fashion, much making merry ensued. The experience included the addition of
items such as ‘beef potato chops’ and the always included ‘chutney sandwich’ on
the menu and a proper timed ‘sing-along’ that began promptly at 5 pm.
In similar vein, the party continued in the land down under,
with Melbourne and Sydney associations putting their festivities together on
August 16 and 17 respectively. The former hosted a conventional Goan dance
while the latter decided that a day long programme with a series of event
dedicated to depicting Goa as a land of pristine beaches was more befitting.
The Middle-East, Abu Dhabi in particular, has long been a
port of call for many Goans, especially those who immigrated in the 1970s.
However, this year, they have held back from celebrations. “While we have
celebrated events such as São João earlier this year itself, this time of the
year is not conducive to hosting many events, as it is normally a time where
many families are on holiday in this part of the world. As such, perhaps both
contributing parties as well as response would be smaller. Though people will
still see it as a cause for celebration,” opines Nolasco de Abreu, President of
Abu Dhabi Goans.
So no matter what part of the world you may be in, or
whether there are co-celebrants or not, grab your sorpotel, sannas and dance
partner, for there is no doubt that being Goan is cause enough to rejoice.
