Tag: Goa Culture

Events in Goa

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Inaugurates First-Ever Goa Book Festival 2026 in Panaji

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

In a landmark moment for Goa’s cultural calendar, the first-ever Goa Book Festival 2026 was inaugurated on February 4 at the D.B. Bandodkar Ground in Panaji by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant, marking the beginning of a five-day celebration dedicated to books, ideas, art and dialogue. The inaugural ceremony brought together eminent dignitaries including Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman of the National Book Trust, India, Dr Kiran Thakur, Chief Patron of the Goa Book Festival and Chairman of Lokmanya Cultural Foundation, Shri Prasad Lolayekar, IAS, Secretary (Education), Government of Goa, Shri Rajesh Pandey, Trustee, NBT and Chief Convenor of the Pune Book Fair, and Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director, National Book Trust, India.

Following the inauguration, the Chief Minister visited the book stalls and explored the festival’s special exhibitions, including “Goa: Stories of Light and Delight,” along with exhibitions commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram and the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He also spent time at the Authors’ Corner and the Children’s Pavilion, interacting with participants and appreciating the diverse range of literary, educational and creative activities curated as part of the festival. The ceremony also featured the unveiling of a special video presentation capturing the spirit of the Goa Book Festival and showcasing the cultural and natural beauty of the state.

Expressing his happiness at the launch of the festival, Dr Pramod Sawant lauded the National Book Trust, India for bringing the initiative to Goa and encouraged citizens to support the Goa Book Festival with the same enthusiasm as other popular festivals in the state. He highlighted that the festival goes beyond book sales by offering cultural performances and child-centric activities, and urged NBT to make the festival an annual fixture in Goa’s cultural calendar.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe reflected on the enduring value of books, quoting author George R. R. Martin to emphasise how reading enriches lives. He noted that books act as silent companions offering guidance and emotional support, and said that if visitors could find answers to why to read, what to read and how to read, the festival would have fulfilled its purpose. He further stressed that the vision of a Viksit Bharat rests on informed and thoughtful citizens, making the cultivation of readers an essential foundation.

Dr Kiran Thakur described the Goa Book Festival as an initiative that would give the state a distinct literary identity, noting the participation of over 200 publishers offering books in English, Hindi, Marathi and Konkani. He spoke of India’s rich intellectual heritage and expressed confidence that the festival would grow into a major hub of literary dialogue, reflecting Goa’s pluralistic and inclusive cultural ethos.

Shri Yuvraj Malik, delivering the vote of thanks, remarked that the Goa Book Festival filled a long-standing gap in the state’s cultural landscape. He encouraged visitors to take home at least one book that could inspire or influence their lives, underscoring the transformative power of reading.

The festival opened with vibrant children’s activities including puppet-based storytelling, cartooning workshops inspired by Mario de Miranda, drawing sessions and poster-making activities. The first day concluded with a graceful Ganesh Vandana, a Kathak performance by Laheja – The School of Performing Arts, and a lively musical performance by the 24K India Band, creating a celebratory close to Day One.

Organised by the National Book Trust, India under the Ministry of Education, in association with the Government of Goa, Samarth Yuva Foundation and Lokmanya Cultural Foundation, the Goa Book Festival 2026 features over 250 book stalls by more than 100 publishers, special exhibitions, cultural performances and interactive sessions for readers of all ages. With free entry, a 10% discount on all books, and daily timings from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM from February 4 to 8, the festival sets the foundation for a lasting cultural tradition that celebrates books as bridges connecting ideas, generations and imaginations.

Events in Goa

Museum of Goa Hosts Turtle Walker Screening; Discussion Highlights Coastal Threats to Sea Turtles

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, February 2026: The philosophy of conservation must actively involve local communities and cannot be limited to animal protection alone, said filmmaker Taira Malaney during a post-screening discussion of her documentary Turtle Walker, held as part of a recent MOG Sunday event at the Museum of Goa (MOG), Pilerne. The screening was attended by members of the Jnana Foundation, followed by an audience interaction with Malaney and creative producer Saif Khan.


Set against India’s fragile coastline—where nesting beaches overlap with tourism, fishing livelihoods, and dense human activity—the documentary highlights how sea turtle conservation is deeply intertwined with social and ecological realities. Drawing from the film, Malaney underscored the role of local communities in supporting the work of marine biologist Satish Bhaskar, the film’s protagonist, whose extensive surveys of turtle nesting beaches began in the late 1970s.

“Real conservation needs to involve communities. It cannot be purely about protecting the animal,” Malaney said, noting that community members assisted Bhaskar in identifying nesting sites, navigating difficult terrain, and collecting field data across India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Turtle Walker documents Bhaskar’s decades-long surveys that led to the identification of previously undocumented nesting beaches and helped lay the foundation for long-term sea turtle conservation efforts in India.

During the discussion, Malaney addressed the growing threats faced by turtles along increasingly urbanised coastlines. She highlighted artificial lighting as a major concern, explaining that hatchlings rely on moonlight to find the sea, while streetlights and beachfront illumination often disorient them, leading to high mortality rates.

“Noise, crowds, and daytime human activity can discourage adult turtles from nesting, causing them to return to the sea without laying eggs,” she said, adding that hatchlings on developed beaches also face threats from stray dogs and poaching.

Fishing-related risks were also discussed, with Malaney noting that turtles are often accidentally trapped in fishing nets during offshore mating. While turtle exclusion devices (TEDs) exist to allow turtles to escape, she pointed out that their implementation in India remains inconsistent.

Referring to existing conservation efforts in Goa, Malaney cited Forest Department-managed hatcheries at beaches such as Morjim, Agonda, and Galgibag, where nests are relocated to protected zones to minimise losses from human disturbance and predation.

Creative producer Saif Khan said the film was developed alongside an impact campaign aimed at extending conservation engagement beyond screenings. “Storytelling can have an impact at multiple levels, but it needs to be combined with on-ground work,” he said. The campaign supports marine mammal stranding networks in Goa and Karnataka, conservation education programmes, and initiatives addressing threats such as abandoned fishing nets.

Further screenings and outreach activities are planned as part of the film’s ongoing impact campaign, alongside its public screenings and festival run.

Events in Goa

Festa do Povo Returns to Panaji with Goan Cuisine, Music and Community Spirit

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Traditional flavours, lively music and community spirit will take centre stage as the third edition of Festa do Povo returns to Panaji on January 24 and 25 at the mangrove-lined pedestrian spine at Patto Plaza.

Designed as a people’s festival — “of the people, by the people, and for the people” — Festa do Povo celebrates Goa’s culture, environment, heritage and camaraderie through food, music and shared experiences. The two-day event brings together local home chefs and established city restaurants, offering an exciting culinary journey that reflects Goa’s rich food traditions alongside international flavours prepared by accredited Goan chefs.

Adding to the festive experience will be a dedicated Feni Bridge Bar and beverage stations highlighting local drinks and spirits, reinforcing the festival’s focus on celebrating Goa’s identity and produce.

Music and cultural performances form the heart of Festa do Povo, with a vibrant line-up that includes the Kids Choir (Choir of Angels), a celebrated brass band, a jazz band, and headline performances by popular bands Purple Rain Band and Forefront Band. Visitors will also witness traditional cultural displays such as a temple drum medley synonymous with Shigmo, the graceful Divli (lamp) dance, and captivating performances by the Vyomi Dance Troupe and Samba dancers.

By blending cuisine, music and community, Festa do Povo continues to strengthen Panaji’s cultural fabric, offering residents and visitors a space to come together, celebrate Goa’s living heritage and experience the city through the warmth of its people.

#faith

Where Faith Meets Brotherhood: The Story of Tonca’s Restored Holy Cross

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

In the quiet, verdant landscapes of Goa—where the Mandovi River winds gently and coconut palms sway in harmony with the breeze—lies the village of Tonca in Marcela, also known as Mashel. Nestled close to the serene island of St. Estevam, Tonca is a place where time moves slowly and faith quietly binds people closer than blood.

At the crossroads where paths from Tonca and St. Estevam converge once stood a simple stone Holy Cross. Weathered by monsoons and sun, it had witnessed generations pass by. More than a religious symbol, it was a silent companion to village life—children played in its shade, travellers paused for prayer, and families gathered during the Litany of the Cross.

Among those who grew up under its gaze were a group of boys who proudly called themselves the “Super Star Boys.” Bound by friendship, football, and mischief, they spent their childhood days chasing kites, stealing mangoes and cashews, and dreaming big dreams at that very crossroads.

As years passed, life led them far from Tonca—to Dubai, Kuwait, London, and beyond—in search of opportunities and stability. They built lives, families, and futures abroad, yet the pull of home never truly faded.

One December, many of them returned—not just for a visit, but for good. Drawn by nostalgia, they walked together to the old cross that had shaped their childhood. Time had taken its toll. The paint had peeled, the base had cracked, and the flowers had lost their colour. Though it still stood tall, it needed care.

That evening, over conversations, laughter, feni, and sorpotel, a decision was made. Without debate or hesitation, the Super Star Boys resolved to restore the Holy Cross—not as an obligation, but as an act of gratitude.

The village responded wholeheartedly. Contributions flowed in, and even Hindu families from nearby wards came forward, recognising the cross as a shared symbol of Tonca’s identity. “It belongs to all of us,” they said.

Work began soon after. Men who were once boys laboured side by side—some now grandfathers—laughing, singing old mandos, and reliving childhood memories as they worked. There were no leaders, only brothers united by purpose.

Weeks later, the restored cross stood renewed—clean, vibrant, adorned with fresh flowers and glowing lights. When the village gathered once more for the Litany of the Cross, voices rang louder, lanterns shone brighter, and the cross seemed to radiate a deeper sense of peace.

Children ran around it once again, just as the Super Star Boys once had.

What emerged from this small act was something far greater than restoration. It was a reminder that faith, friendship, and unity can endure time, distance, and change. In Tonca, a simple roadside cross became a testament to shared roots, collective memory, and the quiet strength of community—proving that sometimes, the smallest gestures carry the greatest meaning.