Tag: GoanCulture

Books & Literature

Goa Book Festival 2026 Brings an Ocean of Stories to Panaji from February 4–8

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Panaji | 2 February 2026: An Ocean of Stories is set to unfold in Panaji as the Goa Book Festival 2026 takes place from 4 to 8 February 2026 at the Bhausaheb Dayanand Bandodkar Ground. Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education, in association with the Government of Goa, Samarth Yuva Foundation and Lokmanya Cultural Foundation, the festival promises a vibrant five-day celebration of books, ideas and culture.

The festival will be inaugurated on 4 February by Shri Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, in the presence of Dr Ramesh Tawadkar, Hon’ble Minister for Art & Culture, Sports and Youth; Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman, National Book Trust, India; Shri Prasad Lolayekar, IAS, Secretary (Education), Government of Goa; Dr Kiran Thakur, Chairman, Lokmanya Cultural Foundation; Shri Rajesh Pandey, Trustee and Chief Convenor, Pune Book Fair; and Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director, National Book Trust, India.

Addressing the media, Shri Yuvraj Malik said that in line with NBT’s mission to promote reading across India, efforts are underway to develop the Goa Book Festival at a national scale, comparable to major book fairs across the country. He emphasised that all events are free and open to the public, aimed at reconnecting society with the enduring power of books.
“With continued public support, the Goa Book Festival will celebrate Goa’s creativity and cultural richness and, in the next one to two years, position the state as a leading literary tourism destination in India,” he said.

The festival will host over 250 book stalls by more than 100 publishers, offering titles in English, Konkani, Marathi and other Indian languages. Entry is free, with visitors enjoying a 10% discount on all books. The festival will be open daily from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Visitors can also explore reading in the digital space through the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya app, a Ministry of Education initiative offering free access to over 6,000 digital books in 22 Indian languages and English.

A key highlight is the special exhibition “Goa: Stories of Light and Delight”, showcasing the works of legendary Goan artists Mario de Miranda and Shashi Shetye, whose illustrations for National Book Trust titles beautifully capture Goa’s landscapes, humour and cultural memory. The festival will also host exhibitions celebrating Vande Mataram @150 and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel @150.

Beyond books, the festival offers immersive experiences for all age groups. Children-centric activities include puppet storytelling, musical narration, clay art, cartoon-making, quizzes, folk dance, drawing workshops and interactive sessions designed to spark imagination and nurture a love for reading.

A dedicated Author’s Corner will host engaging literary sessions featuring an impressive line-up of writers, thinkers and creative voices, including Uday Mahurkar, Mrinal Kulkarni, Avika Gor, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Shantanu Gupta, Chandraprakash Dwivedi, Mohan Shete, Medha Khasgiwale, M. J. Akbar, Sumant Batra, Amol Parashar, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Sadanand Shridhar More and Acharya Prashant.

As books, conversations and culture converge, the Goa Book Festival 2026 invites readers to explore new worlds, meet favourite authors and celebrate the joy of reading.

Events in Goa

People’s Carnival Parade 2026 to Bring Goa’s Carnival Back to Its Roots in Porvorim

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Porvorim, Goa | February 2, 2026: The Porvorim Carnival Committee has announced the return of the People’s Carnival Parade 2026, a community-led initiative aimed at reviving the original spirit of Goa’s Carnival—where people, culture, and creativity take centre stage over spectacle and commercialisation.

Scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2026, from 3:30 pm onwards, the parade will take place at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Marg, Art Park, Porvorim. Built around the philosophy “No Engines, No Generators, Only Joy,” the event marks a conscious shift towards a walking, dancing, people-powered celebration reminiscent of Carnivals from the past.

Speaking about the vision, Shri Rohan Khaunte said Carnival has traditionally reflected Goa’s social and cultural fabric through satire, music, humour, and collective participation. He noted that increasing motorisation and excessive amplification had diluted its essence and stressed that initiatives like the People’s Carnival Parade are crucial in restoring Carnival’s inclusive, environmentally conscious, and community-driven character.

Representing the organising committee, Reena Fernandes highlighted that the parade is designed as an open platform encouraging citizens, families, institutions, and performers to actively participate rather than remain spectators. Early bird incentives have been introduced to reward participants who creatively revive Carnival traditions through innovation.

Setting a strong precedent, participation in 2026 will be strictly people-powered—no motorised or fuel-driven vehicles, no generators, and no large sound systems. Only acoustic and portable music will be allowed, encouraging storytelling, costumes, live music, dance, and movement.

Committee member Abigail D’Mello, overseeing participation and rules, emphasised that removing engines, noise, and commercial floats allows genuine interaction and cultural expression, reflecting a Carnival many Goans remember fondly and wish to pass on to future generations.

Another committee member, Martha Pinto, described the initiative as a breath of fresh air, noting the strong public response and the need to safeguard what is culturally special to Goa while welcoming tourism responsibly.

The parade will feature People’s Floats (minimum 20 participants), a Family Category (minimum four members), and individual performers including clowns and jokers. A structured prize scheme will award cash prizes up to the fifth position across categories such as Traditional, Club/Institution, Family, and Clown/Joker, along with consolation prizes.

Early bird incentives include ₹6,000 for the first 25 registered People’s Floats and ₹3,000 for the first 25 family entries, reinforcing early and active community participation.

Open to all, the People’s Carnival Parade 2026 invites citizens to walk, dance, and celebrate together in a safe, inclusive, and noise-free environment—keeping Carnival people-powered, participatory, and deeply rooted in Goan identity.

Events in Goa

Back in Time: Retro-Themed Market Brings Nostalgia, Music & Goan Flavours Together

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Back in Time – Retro Themed Market invites the community to rewind the clock and relive the charm of a bygone era through music, fashion, food and shared memories. Designed as a joyful celebration of nostalgia, the market blends vintage aesthetics with meaningful community engagement, creating a space where the past and present meet seamlessly.

Visitors are encouraged to step out in their finest retro avatars — from bell bottoms and polka dots to vintage sarees and old-school swagger — with a special Best Dressed Retro Look prize adding a playful edge to the experience. Music forms the heart of the evening, as sing-along sessions with Peter Savio and timeless retro hits transport audiences back to the golden age of melody and rhythm, inviting everyone to dance, hum along and relive cherished moments.

Beyond nostalgia, the market also champions conscious living through its preloved sale initiative built on the principles of Relove, Reduce and Reuse. By giving preloved items a new life, the event promotes sustainable shopping while reminding visitors that style and responsibility can go hand in hand.

Adding a deeply personal touch is the community wall, where attendees are invited to share what they miss most about the old days — sparking conversations, memories and connections across generations. Local Goan vendors complete the experience with authentic food, traditional snacks, handcrafted goods and unique finds, reinforcing the importance of supporting local talent and culture.

More than just a market, Back in Time is a celebration of memories, music and mindful choices — a space where families, friends and communities come together to honour the past while shaping a more connected and sustainable present.

Films

MERAKI, BY THE SEA gets Official Selection at 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Goa 2025

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Goa, November 2025 — An evocative and deeply human experimental documentary Meraki, by the Sea has been officially selected under the Goan Section at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Goa 2025. The 37-minute English-Konkani docu-montage, directed by acclaimed Goan filmmaker Himanshu Singh and produced by Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas, chronicles the inspiring journey of Festacar Marius Fernandes, fondly known as “The Festival Man of Goa.”

Filmed across Goa’s vibrant villages and coastlines, Meraki, by the Sea captures the essence of Goa’s art, music, and community spirit that defines its cultural identity. The film explores Festacar’s beliefs, philosophy, and the passion that fuels his mission to revive Goan heritage through his unique, people-driven public festivals.

Over the past 25 years, Marius has created and nurtured over 100 community festivals across Goa and three in the UK, each built on inclusion, sustainability, and the power of togetherness. Shot by cinematographer Nehal Chari and sound designed by Pankaj Katware, the film is a visual and emotional tribute to the idea of doing something with meraki — the Greek word for doing things with soul, creativity, and love.

The film is dedicated to the late Senhor Zito de Ornelas Gomes, founder of Goa’s first musical band, “Tuna Los Coimbranos,” established on August 15, 1962. Through this dedication, the film honors his pioneering contribution to Goan music and cultural expression.

Director Himanshu Singh, a Goa State Award-winning filmmaker known for his humanistic and visually immersive storytelling, described the film as a reflection on the spirit of giving and collective joy. “Through Festacar’s journey, I wanted to explore how one man transforms festivals into living acts of connection and creativity. His story reminded me that culture thrives not in museums, but in people — in laughter, food, and shared moments,” he said.

Producer Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas, a Goan academic and cultural advocate, views the film as both a personal and creative tribute to her late father and to Festacar’s mission. “It’s a joy to see Meraki, by the Sea as part of IFFI 2025. The work of Festacar has always inspired me to be culturally rooted. During IFFI 2024, Himanshu and I discussed documenting his story — and here we are, a year later, celebrating its selection,” she shared.

Marius Fernandes’ lifelong commitment to fostering inclusivity and sustainability through festivals has made him an icon of community-led cultural revival. His initiatives have empowered locals, preserved traditions, and given Goans across generations a reason to celebrate their shared identity.

As Meraki, by the Sea premieres at IFFI 2025, it not only stands as a cinematic ode to Goa’s enduring cultural rhythm but also as a reminder of what it means to live and create with soul — with meraki.

Travel

Goa Tourism Showcases Its Cultural Brilliance at WTM London 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa Tourism made a vibrant start at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2025, drawing strong global interest from travel trade and industry partners. The Goa Pavilion welcomed an enthusiastic stream of visitors eager to discover the State’s rich cultural heritage, diverse tourism experiences, spiritual trails, hinterland adventures, and growing infrastructure that together shape its evolving tourism story.

This year, Goa Tourism’s showcase centred around its deep cultural roots, culinary excellence, and immersive travel offerings that reflect the State’s commitment to regenerative tourism. This approach places communities at the heart of tourism development, ensuring that growth is both inclusive and sustainable. By focusing on authentic experiences and storytelling, Goa continues to engage travellers who seek deeper, more meaningful connections with the places they visit.

The Goa Pavilion was inaugurated by Shri Kartik Pande IFS, Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK, in the presence of Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa; Shri Rakesh Dahiya, IRS (Cus & IT), First Secretary (Trade & Tourism), High Commission of India, London; Shri Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS, Secretary (Tourism); Shri Sandip Jacques, IAS, Secretary (Revenue); Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director, GTDC; Shri Jayesh Kankonkar, Assistant Director (Tourism); and Shri Shawn Mendes, OSD to the Hon’ble Minister for Tourism.

Representatives from leading travel trade organisations including Shri Sheikh Ismail (Concord Exotic), Shri Deepak Bhatnagar (Minar Travels), Shri Anup (Let’s Goa), and Shri Martin Joseph Thypodath (Freedom Holidays) were also present, reinforcing Goa’s strong partnership with the global tourism network. The Goa delegation engaged in productive discussions with international trade and media representatives, paving the way for new collaborations and strategic alliances.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, shared, “Our participation reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening our tourism ecosystem through meaningful, community-led initiatives. We continue to promote experiences rooted in culture, heritage, wellness, and spirituality, offering visitors a deeper connection with the State. Our focus remains on enhancing accessibility, improving visitor experience, and showcasing Goa as a year-round destination that welcomes travellers with warmth.”

Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director of GTDC, added, “We remain aligned with Goa Tourism’s efforts to enhance visitor engagement and support initiatives that contribute to a more inclusive tourism framework. Participation at WTM helps us strengthen partnerships and explore opportunities that contribute to sustainable growth.”

Supporting this vision, Shri Kedar Naik, Director (Tourism), Government of Goa, said, “We are focused on positioning Goa as a responsible and experiential tourism destination. Our efforts are geared toward improving visitor experience, promoting innovative circuits, and highlighting local culture so travellers can explore Goa in new and engaging ways.”

By championing “Goa Beyond Beaches,” the State continues to redefine its image on the global tourism map. Goa’s participation at WTM London 2025 underscores its dedication to regenerative tourism, celebrating its cultural richness, strengthening community well-being, and offering travellers the promise of meaningful, transformative journeys.