“‘Celebrating
Goenkarponn, or the spirit of Goa, is the theme at this year’s Pattoleanchem
Fest at Socorro,” says Marius Fernandes, Cultural Activist, who has
successfully maintained this wonderful fest at Socorro for years. Every year,
this fest is celebrated on the occasion of Independence day (August 15).
Organised by Socorro Socio Art and Cultural Association, Porvorim, this
festival, according to Marius, is the only festival in Goa that has no chief
guests, no sponsor, no prizes, no competitions and no alcohol. It’s the
people’s festival. People participate voluntarily and are in charge of what
they want to do.
“This
year, the fest will begin at around 9am with a Mass for Our Lady of Assumption,
which will be followed by a procession with Brass Band. After that, there will
be an Independence Day Programme held jointly with Our Lady of Succour Primary
School at 10.30am. Then, from 11am onwards, the Pattoleanchem Fest will
start at Our Lady of Succour Church,” he further informs.
This
year, historian Prajal Sakhadande will be delivering a talk on the theme of the
year, Goenkarponn. Other eminent Goans who will be addressing people at
the fest are Pantaleao Fernandes, who is going to talk about his book on Goan
culture and heritage, and renowned cartoonist Alexyz Fernandes, who will speak about
his book ‘O to be in Goa’. Konkani singers like Sucurro de Santacruz will be
present to make the fest musical. There will also be cultural programmes
celebrating the folk culture of the state with around 20 groups from all over
Goa performing a number of folk dances like Kunabi dance, Dekhni, Mando,
Fugdi, Shetkari dance, Kattyo dance and so on. Adhering to this
year’s theme, various traditional customs and practices like fisherwomen
selling fish, knitting nets, women making patoleo, selling sausages,
etc, will be depicted at the fest.
Serving
free food to thousands of people, says Marius, is one of the specialities of
this fest. “Along with the other local Goan food items like rice, ladyfinger
curry, fish kismoor and mango pickle, more than 1,000 people will also feed on pattoleo,
sanna and pej. The food is served on the traditional patravalyo.
As the fest does not have any sponsors, most of the material required to
prepare this food is donated by people. A lot of people work together by
donating money, resources, or time, to make this festival a success. Even this
year, more than 500 people have participated to organise the fest. Villagers of
the neighbouring village of Saligao too have pitched in to help organise Pattoleanchem
Fest this year,” maintains Marius.
As
Marius Fernandes puts it, promoting fests like these is very important to
cherish and pass on our beautiful traditions and customs. “The whole point of
choosing ‘Goenkarponn’ as this year’s theme is that we want our
youngsters to know about Goa’s traditions and heritage. There are youngsters
who actively participate in the fest, but we want it to go even higher,” he
concludes.
