FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenkashi Lekhi inaugurated the four-day first International Lusophone Festival of Goa organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Goa Government at the Durbar hall of Raj Bhavan, on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, Sawant said that Goa has a lot to showcase and in the next few days the participants will experience the fusion of culture that is the essence of Goa. He said “Goa is an excellent example of the impact of globalisation and trade has had on Indian population. Goa on its part had tryst with this phenomena since ancient times. Over 4,000 years ago globalisation progressed through travel, trade, migration, etc spread of cultural influence and dissemination of knowledge and understanding including science and technology.”
Sawant said that migration led to movement of Indians from various parts of the country including Goa to all places across the world and mentioned the names of two prominent Goans – Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa and UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman. He said that trade was mainstay of Konkan region before Portuguese arrived in Goa. Portuguese introduced cashew and chilli in the 16th century and today Goa obtained GI tag to cashew feni.
The Chief Minister said that during the Lusophone Festival, Goa will showcase and promote its unique trade, art, culture, architect, history, archaeology, history, music, handicrafts, cuisine, festivals, tourism potential etc.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenkashi Lekhi said that Lusophone Festival becomes important because India shares deep relation with Lusophone countries. She said, “In the first phase of globalisation as history remembers, Portuguese language became a global language at that point of time and in the 14th century Portuguese discovered India and started working and trading with India. Amalgamation of culture which India is known to be became a product which we see in Goa.”
She said that close to 10,000 people speak Portuguese in India and these people as part of Community of Portuguese Language Peoples (CPLP) families carry on and that Lusophone countries have lot to work with India.
The inaugural function concluded with a cultural programme.
During the next three days, there will be performances by visiting cultural troupes from the CPLP countries (approximately 70 artistes) at several venues in Goa including ESG complex, Azad Maidan, Sanskruti Bhavan and Institute Menezes Braganza among others. As part of the festival, workshops on Lusophone music for artists and volunteers, various workshops-cum-exhibition of photocopies of historical records, unique Goan architecture, Goan handicrafts and Goan furniture will be organised and the Lusophone Food and Spirits Festival will also showcase the culinary links between India and the Lusophone world.
