World Goa Day was introduced on August 20 to commemorate the anniversary of the inclusion of Konkani in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution by the Indian parliament. The celebrations were held in 2000 and since then, Goans across the world have been organising events around the same date in the hope to reignite and keep the passion for Goa burning strong. This year, August 20 being a Sunday makes it a perfect day to head out to Siolim with the family to enjoy the Goan culture at a single venue, The RiverBanks, Siolim.
Organised by Patrick Fernandes of Diamond List and event coordinated by a team of 20 members of Country Cousins headed by Ellison Fernandes of Siolim, the event is curated keeping the best in mind to entertain Goans. With leading bands like Forefront and 24K and deejays Rinton and Melwyn, there will be lots more music with O’Luv,
Johnny and Reza and Carlos Gonsalves with his Talking Drums. “As part of Country Cousins, I had organised World Goa Day in Dubai and World Goa Day is celebrated every year around the world but not on a grand scale in Goa itself. This year, we thought of celebrating it in Siolim with folk dances, authentic Goan food, Goan games to make it feel like a complete day of Goan culture,” says Ellison Fernandes, who worked for 23 years abroad before returning to Goa.
As part of the celebrations, four individuals who are making a huge contribution to Goa will be felicitated, including three Siolcars. Sylvester
Fernandes, was one of the first members to organise the Sao Joao Traditional Boat Festival that put Siolim on the tourist map almost 34 years back. One of Goa’s senior-most public prosecutors, Shiral Souza Monteiro was living in Miramar and returned to his roots in Siolim, during the Covid pandemic. He recently restored the over 100-year-old Dovornem in Siolim.
Heta Pandit has authored ten books on the history and architecture of Goan houses, with her recent book being ‘Stories from Goan Houses’. Another noted Siolcar is Agnes Dias, an international athlete in the +45 category. They will be presented with special momentos designed by Alexyz, a celebrated cartoonist from Siolim.
Alexyz has always supported projects that highlight the love for Goa and has also extended his cooperation to the World Goa Day celebrations in Siolim. There will be and art exhibition and sale
of caricartues and illustrations by Alexyz. “Ellison is amazing when it comes to organising an event of this magnitude with his team. The exhibition, ‘Oh To be in Goa’, will feature 19 caricatures on the Goan life. This World Goa Day will be the biggest event in Siolim and anywhere in the world for World Goa Day,” says Alexyz.
With his career beginning in the hospitality industry and later working in the oil companies, Ellison are coming back to Goa has been keeping himself busy by organising football tournaments for the young in the village as well as events like Christmas party, Festas De Sao Joao and now World Goa Day.
“World Goa Day in Siolim will begin at 4 pm and will be filled with activities and games too. Some of the Goan games include five stones or panch gunnianim in Konkani and marbles game. We will also have a coconut leaf weaving workshop by Sabina,” concludes Ellison.
