20 years of linking Goa to Portugal

When Lisbon opened its museum dedicated to the orient – Fundação Oriente in 1988, Goa was invariably its first choice to set up base in India. On April 19, 1995, this became a reality with the inaugural session of the Delegation of Fundação Oriente in India at its present

premises at Fontainhas, Panjim. Twenty years down the line, it has played a stellar role in promoting cultural relations between Portugal and India (Goa). “The purpose of Fundação Oriente, as always, is to strengthen cultural relations between Portugal and Asia, and in this case, India/Goa. The relationship between our countries has been very strong for decades. There are so many similarities between Goans and the Portuguese,” affirms Director Eduardo Kol de Carvalho. “Actually, we began promoting cultural exchanges in India as early as 1991, when fadista Amália Rodrigues performed in Goa.

Later, prominent Goans like Mario Miranda and Dr Fernando

Colaco helped to establish the Delegation.”

Wrapping up the recent 20th anniversary celebrations

on April 19, which included an art exhibition by Savia Viegas,

a book release ‘Percival de Noronha, um Goês Exemplar’

and a Fado concert by Jorge Nunes, Carvalho looks back

at two decades of cultural exchanges. “In the early years,

we took on several restoration and conservation projects

of heritage monuments. We have been promoting the

Portuguese language since it is important for us and

for Portuguese speaking countries. We have also been

conducting the hugely popular Monte Festival and Vem

Cantar, granting scholarships and a host of other activities,”

avers Carvalho, who has been credited with bringing

the famed A X Trindade paintings to Goa, the opening of

the gallery and promotion of artists on themes revolving

around AXT as also the short story competition.

The Delegation also owes much to his predecessors

– Paulo Varela Gomes (heritage/Vem Cantar), Sergio

Mascarenhas (Monte Music Festival), Adelino Rodrigues

da Costa (second restoration of the Delegation building),

among others.

Closely associated with Fundação Oriente even before

it began, Legal Advisor Dr Fernando Colaco avers, “During

these 20 years, Goa and India have benefitted immensely,

both socially and culturally, from its varied activities and

scholarships.” A fact endorsed by Dr Fatima Gracias, author

of the anthology on A X Trindade, who has been associated

with Fundação Oriente since its inception.

Bridging two cultures two decades on, Fundação

Oriente continues to strengthen ties between the two

countries.