Over the last six years, the month of December
has been nurturing the art and literature lovers of the state by bringing a
line-up of some of the best literary intellectuals and authors from India and
abroad to Goa to be a part of Goa Arts and Literary Festival (GALF). All set to
commence its 7th edition from December 8, GALF 2016 has several old, as well as
a few uniquely innovative elements for the participants this year.
Yatin Kakodkar, President of the International
Centre Goa (ICG), Dona Paula, says that two of the major innovative ideas
incorporated into GALF this year are more representation to the Indian regional
language authors and added emphasis on children’s literature. “GALF is bringing
in authors from India along with some noted international names together under
one roof. Also, we are focussing on children’s literature a lot this time,
because these young minds are our future readers and it’s necessary for them to
develop a taste for reading,” Yatin explains.
Elaborating on the same, Damodar Mauzo, Writer
and co-curator of GALF, states, “Regional language authors in India feel that
the literary festivals that take place in our country don’t give them their due
importance. At GALF, we have made it a point to invite some popular authors,
senior writers, linguistic scholars from different parts of India as well as
abroad. Even Goan writers will get an opportunity to participate.”
Vivek Menezes, co-curator of GALF, talks about
the special segment dedicated to children’s literature this year, saying, “On
December 9, 10 and 11, we will practically have a mini-fest for the children,
that will feature some of the best children’s authors. Our next generation is
very passionate and I believe that they need to be fed in such intellectual
interactions in order to pique their interest in literature.” Another unique
feature of GALF 2016, Vivek adds, would be the pop-up shops where a range of
books that are not usually available in Goa will be put for sale, exclusively
during the festival.
Laxman Pai, renowned artist and painter of Goan
origin, has designed the official artwork for GALF; the same will be unveiled
at the time of inauguration. “We have planned a series of different things as
far as the art side of the festival is concerned. We’ll have interactions
surrounding series of books published by Bodhana Foundation on artist Vasudev
Gaitonde. Ranjit Hoskote (contemporary Indian poet, art critic, cultural
theorist and independent curator) will be present for two of the days. We are
also housing a virtual art gallery and exhibition of the photographs by Mayank
Austen Soofi that are printed on fabric. Not to forget, ICG will host exclusive
performances by Manipur folk-rock icons ‘Imphal Talkies’ and award-winning rock
legend Lou Majaw,” explains Vivek.
GALF was founded to celebrate what is usually
considered ‘the margins’, taking inspiration from ‘different ways of
belonging’. One of the keynote speakers to be present at the inauguration
ceremony will be Jorge Barreto Xavier (former Secretary of State for Culture,
Portugal). Born in Goa, before then moving to Portugal, Jorge, in Vivek’s
opinion, would in a way be exploring his sense of belongingness here. He will
be exhibiting his photographs on ‘concentration camps’ for the first time ever
on December 8 at Maquinez Palace as part of the exhibition. “I have been
working as an artist for last 30 years, but this is the first time that I am
presenting my artworks before the world. My series of photographs aren’t about
the concentration camps or Portugal; they are about the ideas of freedom and
speech. The photos are used as a metaphor to talk about the concrete situations
that have been taking place around the world where the constraints and freedom
of speech have been manipulated,” Jorge expresses. He also adds that it’s a
wonderful thing for Goa to host such a festival, which is a revolution. A
vision for Goa in the future.
Although GALF has completed six successful years
and is venturing into the seventh one with great glory, the organisers have
faced several challenges in an attempt to make the festival large while
maintaining its authenticity. “Though the festival is volunteer-driven, we
still need money, which we have to take from the corporate. However, what we
try and do is not let anybody sponsor the festival as we don’t want them to
dictate terms to us. The fest has to be true to the authors, not the sponsors.
So we are growing, but very slowly, taking one step at a time,” states Yatin.
Another challenge that GALF has constantly been worried about is the lack of
enough Goan presence. “Earlier, the response from Goan authors was quite low.
However, things have changed drastically for the better now. I feel that more
Goan authors should come forward to support us for GALF, rather than wait for
us to invite them,” Damodar asserts.
The
inauguration ceremony of GALF will be held on at Maquinez Palace Panjim
December 8, 2016 at 5:30 pm
