The delegation on completion of the conference on Friday which was co-hosted by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Directorate of Art and Culture, on Saturday went on a tour across Goa from Quepem to Morjim getting a feel of the heritage architecture of Goa, traditional mat weaving livelihood of certain village groups of Paroda, a dhalo-mando performance besides visiting the Old Goa Churches and Subodh Kerkar’s Museum.
The delegation that consisted of intellects from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives came knocking on the doors of the heritage building of Margao Municipality. The delegation was led by Moe Chiba, from Japan, is the programme specialist for culture at United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and London School of Economics alumni Amitava Bhattacharya who works on the foundation that people’s participation is the key in preserving culture.
Moe Chiba interacting with the gathering and delegates in the beautiful town hall of the Margao municipality congratulated the council for maintain the building and the heritage look of Margao across the municipal building and the garden space.
The delegates were taken for a complete tour of the municipal building that was recently restored and painted. The Margao municipal building known as the Camara is a span over 19 arches sporting a striking yellow colour, probably since it was built, this edifice stands at the southern end of the Margao Municipal Garden. The garden was formerly known as Praça Jorge Barreto after the distinguished Mayor of that time. The MMC building houses the Margao Municipality and the Municipal Library. Until a few years ago pleasant Konkani music would stream from the Camara (Municipal Building) through the lush gardens cape which continues to happen in the evenings.
Moe informed the council that Margao should apply for a Cultural Heritage City status from the UNESCO with valid documentation and also documenting the historical and cultural fabric of the people of Margao and a status like that would go a long way in encouraging Madgaonkars in preserving its heritage.
The Chairperson Dr Babita chalked out her plans to the delegation as to how she plans to have a Children’s day programme and encourage people’s participation in being aware of its culture and heritage.
Sisir Dutta from the South Asian Delegation who’s the founder and Director of Bangladesh Institute of Theatre Arts told the audience that Bangladesh has a heritage building similar in nature to which Dr Babita replied that she’s aware of the same and has visited it too. She also mentioned that the heritage building in Bangladesh similar to Margao municipality was also built by the Portuguese.
The otherwise quiet and shut municipality on a Saturday came alive this weekend with deliberations followed by a nice sumptuous Goan lunch for the delegates hosted at the Margao municipality itself.
