Tag: Goa Culture

Events in Goa

‘Festa do Povo’ Returns to Panaji for Third Edition of Community-Led Festival

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Festa do Povo, which translates to ‘Festival of the People’, returns to Panaji this January for its third edition, reaffirming its vision of creating shared civic spaces rooted in community participation. Scheduled for January 24 and 25, the festival will unfold along the mangrove-lined pedestrian spine at Patto Plaza, bringing together residents, artists, performers, and food curators to celebrate the city’s culture, heritage, and everyday life.

Conceived around the principle of being of the people, by the people, and for the people, Festa do Povo is a community-led initiative supported by the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and Imagine Panaji. Since its inception in 2023, residents from several city wards—particularly those living in Panaji’s historic neighbourhoods—have played an active role in shaping the festival’s planning and programming.

The two-day festival celebrates Panaji as a nearly 200-year-old city, drawing inspiration from its neighbourhoods, people, and the quiet social bonds that define everyday life. Through music, dance, food, storytelling, and interactive spaces, Festa do Povo reimagines the city as a common civic space where everyone belongs.

The programme will feature a diverse range of performances spread across both days, including a temple drum medley associated with Shigmo, lamp dance, brass band performances, jazz, Bharatnatyam, children’s choir presentations, band performances, dancers, and educational trails. An art corner and a dedicated children’s zone will ensure that the festival remains inclusive and engaging for all age groups.

Food plays a central role in the celebration, with stalls curated by established city restaurants as well as home chefs, offering visitors a taste of Goa’s rich and diverse culinary traditions.

Adding to the festival’s intimate and reflective character, informal storytelling sessions inspired by Goa’s folklore will take place across different corners of the venue, set against the serene mangrove backdrop of Patto Plaza.

Conceived as an open celebration of life in the city, Festa do Povo is free and open to all, with no entry fee, inviting everyone to come together, slow down, and rediscover Panaji through the lens of community, culture, and shared belonging.

Goan Personalities

CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Inaugurates 29th Jagatik Marathi Sammelan Goa 2026 at Kala Academy, Panaji

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The 29th Jagatik Marathi Sammelan Goa 2026 was formally inaugurated at Kala Academy, Panaji, by Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, marking the beginning of a three-day celebration of Marathi language, literature, and cultural thought.

Organised by the World Marathi Academy, Mumbai, in collaboration with various Goan cultural and literary institutions, this prestigious global literary gathering is being held on the theme “Shodh Marathi Manacha – 26 Goa”, reflecting a deeper exploration of Marathi identity, intellect, and cultural consciousness.

The inaugural ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished personalities, including Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Anil Kakodkar, renowned Indian actor and filmmaker Shri Mahesh Manjrekar, acclaimed filmmaker and Chairperson Shri Nagraj Manjule, and Kala Academy Chairperson Shri Babu Kavlekar, among other eminent guests from the fields of literature, cinema, and public life.

The Jagatik Marathi Sammelan serves as a vital platform for dialogue, artistic exchange, and intellectual engagement among Marathi scholars, writers, artists, and cultural practitioners from across India and the world. With a series of discussions, performances, and literary sessions planned over three days, the Goa edition reinforces the state’s role as a vibrant host for national and international cultural conversations.

Events in Goa

BCIFF 2026 Set to Showcase 73+ Films from 38 Countries in Margao

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Minister for Public Works Department and Vice Chairman of BCIFF, Shri Digambar Kamat, briefed the media on the upcoming 3rd edition of the Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival (BCIFF) 2026, scheduled to take place from 13th to 17th January 2026 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Goa.

BCIFF 2026 is poised to be its most expansive edition yet, with participation from over 38 countries and a curated lineup of more than 73 international and Indian films, spanning live-action and animated cinema. The festival continues its mission of introducing young audiences to meaningful storytelling, diverse cultures, and cinematic excellence from across the globe.

The media interaction also saw the presence of Shri Dipak Bandekar, Director of the Department of Information and Publicity; Smt. Sindhu Prabhu Desai, Deputy Director of Education; and Shri Siddhesh Samant, Information Assistant. Adding depth to the announcement, Festival Directors Shri Bipin Khedekar and Shri Siddhesh Naik shared insights into the festival’s vision, its steady growth over the years, and the thoughtfully curated programming designed to engage, inspire, and educate children through cinema.

With its growing international footprint and strong institutional support, BCIFF 2026 reinforces Goa’s position as a vibrant cultural hub, while nurturing young minds through the power of films that entertain, inform, and inspire.

Events in Goa

Lokotsav Festival 2026 to Celebrate Culture at Kala Academy; Volunteers Invited

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department of Art & Culture, Government of Goa, will be organising the much-awaited Lokotsav Festival 2026 from January 20 to January 29, 2026, at the Kala Academy Complex, Panaji. The festival is expected to draw large crowds, offering a vibrant celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage.

Lokotsav 2026 will feature a wide range of cultural programmes, live performances, and a grand Handicrafts and Craft Bazaar, showcasing traditional art forms and craftsmanship from across the country. A special pavilion highlighting the national theme “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” will be set up at the Kala Academy premises, along with a curated exhibition at the Art Gallery.

Adding an interactive dimension to the festival, the department will also organise craft-making workshops for the general public and art enthusiasts, offering hands-on exposure to traditional skills and creative practices.

In preparation for the event, the Directorate of Art & Culture, Sanskruti Bhavan, Panaji, has invited applications from college students, local NGOs engaged in social work, and youth aged between 20 and 35 years from Panaji and nearby areas to serve as Volunteers for the festival.

Selected volunteers will be required to serve for 11 days, from January 19 to January 29, 2026, during the evening hours of 3.00 pm to 10.30 pm. A stipend will be paid to all volunteers for their services.

Interested applicants must submit their applications on plain paper, along with Aadhaar card details, to the Office of the Directorate of Art & Culture, Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, Goa, on or before January 14, 2026, during office hours. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lokotsav Festival 2026 promises to be a grand celebration of art, culture, and community participation—offering volunteers a unique opportunity to be part of one of Goa’s most prominent cultural events.

Events in Goa

Manoj Bajpayee to Join NoMoZo 7.0 as Porvorim Gears Up for Its People-Centric Street Festival

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Porvorim Rising is set to bring the community together once again with the seventh edition of NoMoZo, scheduled for January 11, 2026. Designed as a people-centric street festival, NoMoZo 7.0 celebrates shared public spaces by blending fitness, culture, creativity, and community engagement. Adding to the excitement this year, renowned actor Manoj Bajpayee will be joining residents at the festival.

NoMoZo encourages citizens of all ages to step out of their homes, connect with their neighbourhoods, and engage with public spaces in meaningful and inclusive ways. Families, youth, artists, innovators, and local community groups are expected to participate in a day-long programme that focuses on movement, learning, creativity, and cultural expression.

Speaking ahead of the event, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, IT, E&C, and Printing & Stationery, Government of Goa, reflected on the origins of the initiative. He shared that NoMoZo was inspired by childhood memories of streets as places to play, meet friends, and build neighbourhood connections. According to him, the festival recreates that sense of togetherness by encouraging people of all ages to interact, engage, and rediscover the joy of community life through people-first public spaces.

Expressing his excitement about participating, Manoj Bajpayee said that what draws him to NoMoZo is the simplicity with which it brings people together, adding that he is looking forward to being part of the celebration.

NoMoZo 7.0 will feature a wide range of interactive zones, including Kids, Art, Heritage, Astronomy, Fitness, Martial Arts, Boxing, Health, Youth, IT & Science, Performance & Dance, Influencer, and Karaoke zones. Free stalls will also be provided to local vendors and artisans, reinforcing the festival’s emphasis on inclusivity and community participation.

With growing public involvement year after year, NoMoZo continues to strengthen Porvorim’s community spirit by transforming everyday streets into vibrant spaces of connection, creativity, and collective celebration.