Tag: Workshops

Events in Goa

Serendipity Arts Festival Transforms Panaji’s Art Park into a Hub of Art, Food, and Community

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Panaji, December 2025: The Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF), Asia’s largest multidisciplinary art festival, has once again turned Panaji’s Art Park along the riverfront into a dynamic cultural hub. Visitors of all ages have been immersed in a vibrant blend of art, workshops, culinary experiences, and entertainment.

The festival space is thoughtfully designed to cater to varied interests. The western end features the photography exhibits in Feeling Home. Where is Home?, with works ranging from Assavri Kulkarni’s tribal portraits to Anurag Banerjee’s homage to Bombay, drawing visitors into diverse worlds through the lens. Moving inward, the buzz grows louder with interactive workshops, storytelling sessions, and a showcase of Goan culinary traditions.

SAF’s colourful stalls and installations make the festival appealing to schools and families alike. Surekha Gaonkar, a teacher from Bal Bharati Vidyamandir, Ribandar, brought 73 students from standards 1 to 3, saying, “We come to help students learn something new while having fun. There’s so much to do here.”

Students like Nisha Fernandes of Chubby Cheeks High School were equally enthused, exploring workshops such as Changing Charpai and creative storytelling sessions. “It was my first time here, and I had a lot of fun. The Hive workshop helped us learn limericks and poetry, and the charpai installation was fun to climb and play on,” she shared.

Parents, too, found the festival a perfect opportunity to engage with their children while enjoying a safe and relaxing environment. Upen Kumar from Margao said, “I registered my son for storytelling and workshops on emotions and musical instruments while browsing the stalls. Every amenity, from washrooms to guidance, was well taken care of.”

The Serendipity Arts Festival continues to offer an inclusive, engaging, and educational experience, blending celebration, learning, and community bonding in the heart of Panaji.

Events in Goa

Tarang Christmas Fair 2025 – Goa’s Biggest Festive Celebration

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The festive spirit comes alive at the Tarang Christmas Fair 2025, set to be Goa’s biggest Christmas celebration, bringing together families, creators, children, and festive enthusiasts for two days of joy, color, and community bonding. Taking place on the 9th and 10th of December from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Dr. F.L. Gomes Garden, opposite Children’s Park in Campal, Panaji, the fair promises a vibrant atmosphere filled with music, creativity, workshops, games, gifts, food, and memorable experiences for all ages. With free entry for everyone, the event is designed to be accessible and welcoming to the entire community.

Day One begins on Tuesday, 9th December with entertainment and creativity. A live show begins at 6 p.m., filling the evening with music and festive performances. Earlier in the afternoon, attendees aged 10 and above, including adults, can participate in an Artificial Flower Making Workshop from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., offering a hands-on activity that encourages artistic expression during the holiday season. Participants can register in advance to secure a spot in the workshop.

Day Two, on Wednesday, 10th December, is dedicated to children and families, featuring a lively Kids Party starting at 4 p.m. The celebration includes return gifts, snacks, fun games, and a craft activity that keeps the little ones happily engaged. The event promises a cheerful and safe environment where children can celebrate the festive season, make new friends, and enjoy the excitement of Christmas-themed activities.

Across both days, the fair showcases the charm of community-driven celebration, encouraging visitors to shop, celebrate, and be merry. The venue transforms into a festive hub with stalls, decorations, and the warm spirit of Christmas, making it the perfect place to connect, unwind, and share joyful moments. Whether you’re looking to participate in engaging activities, enjoy performances, shop for seasonal goodies, or simply soak in the holiday vibe, the Tarang Christmas Fair 2025 brings a magical experience for everyone in Goa.

Events in Goa

Heritage First Festival 2025 Begins, Showcasing Goa’s Cultural Richness Through 41 Walks & Workshops

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Panaji, November 2025: The second edition of the Heritage First Festival, a flagship initiative by the not-for-profit collective Heritage First Goa (HFG), commenced on November 14 at Panaji’s Azad Maidan, setting in motion a vibrant three-week exploration of Goa’s living, built and natural heritage.

The festival’s inauguration brought together seasoned resource persons, affectionately called “pilots,” who will lead 41 expert-curated walks and workshops across Goa. These experiences aim to help residents and visitors rediscover the layered histories, cultural stories, ecosystems and architectural marvels that define Goa.

Stories, Memories and Reflections at the Inaugural

The opening ceremony featured insightful reflections from senior journalist and author Sandesh Prabhudesai, historian and academic Dr. Maria Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues, and writer Shylendra Mehta—each offering glimpses of Panaji’s past and its cultural evolution.

Rodrigues shared vivid memories of the Central Library as a hub of learning and community interaction, noting how the city’s urban design drew from Lisbon-style planning with squares, promenade spaces and evocatively named streets.

Prabhudesai stressed the importance of linguistic heritage, delivering his speech in Konkani. He recalled the powerful role of spaces around Azad Maidan—like Café Prakash and Varsha Bookstore—as incubators for discussions, debates and public movements that shaped Goa’s civic landscape.

Mehta, a long-time Panaji resident, reflected on the life of the common man in earlier decades and concluded with a poetic tribute to the Mandovi River by Pandurang Bhangi.

Walks and Workshops Across Goa

The festival’s programming delves deep into Goa’s cultural and ecological diversity through curated experiences led by experts such as:

  • Subodh Kerkar: Art and heritage walks
  • Kilian Hughes: Environmental and nature trails
  • Katrina Fernandez: Ecological explorations
  • Pritha Sardessai: Architectural trails

Participants can choose from trails such as:

  • Khazan ecosystem walk in Chorao
  • Village walk in Saligao
  • Chicalim caves walk
  • São Jacinto river island walk
  • Night trails through Panaji

Hands-on workshops further bring culture to life, including:

  • Kaavi art sessions by Darpana Athale
  • Kunbi weave sessions with Mahalaxmi Bhobe
  • A community kitchen experience in Chorao led by Amreen Sheikh
  • A poetry walk through Parra’s fields with Meera Ganpathi
  • Petroglyph workshop at Usgalimal by Onkar Kshirsagar

Community, Collaboration & Cultural Preservation

Founded by heritage advocates Heta Pandit, Jack Ajit Sukhija, and Snigdha Manchanda, Heritage First Goa continues its mission to highlight stories, influences and traditions that have shaped Goa’s identity over centuries.

“It’s encouraging to see people of all ages come forward to experience aspects of Goa’s heritage that may even surprise long-time residents,” said HFG co-founder Heta Pandit. “This festival is about sparking curiosity about our collective past and using that awareness to preserve it.”

A unique element this year is the community adoption model where participants and local patrons sponsor individual heritage walks—strengthening grassroots involvement and sustaining festival operations.

Each walk or workshop is capped at small group sizes to ensure meaningful engagement and protect heritage spaces. Tickets are priced at ₹750 per session, with advance registration mandatory.

With immersive storytelling, expert-led explorations and hands-on cultural experiences, the Heritage First Festival 2025 promises to take Goa on an unforgettable journey through its layered history and vibrant cultural fabric.

Events in Goa

Heritage First Festival Returns with 41 Walks and Workshops to Celebrate Goa’s Living Heritage

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa’s living heritage once again takes centre stage as the Heritage First Festival returns for its second edition, promising to spotlight the cultural, ecological and historical wealth of the state. Organised by the not-for-profit Heritage First Goa (HFG) — founded by heritage advocates Heta Pandit, Jack Ajit Sukhija, and Snigdha Manchanda — the festival will be held from November 14 to December 7, 2025 and will feature 41 walks and workshops spread across three weeks.

From the tranquil villages and khazan lands to the city streets and coastal landscapes, this edition of the festival explores Goa’s multifaceted heritage through immersive experiences. Participants will have the chance to embark on a village walk in Saligao with Subodh Kerkar, dive into the biodiversity of Chorao’s mangroves and otter habitats with Kilian Hughes and Katrina Fernandez, explore prehistoric caves in Chicalim with Cyril Fernandes, or discover Panaji’s nocturnal charm through a night walk guided by Pritha Sardessai.

Beyond the walks, the festival’s workshops will offer deeper engagement with Goa’s art and craft traditions. Attendees can learn the intricacies of Kaavi art with Darpana Athale, explore the textures and heritage of the Kunbi saree weave with Mahalaxmi Bhobe, join a poetry walk with Meera Ganpathi across the scenic fields of Parra, build a sand dune on Miramar’s beach alongside Dr Antonio Mascarenhas and Gabriella D’Cruz, or enjoy community kitchen experiences in Chorao led by Amreen Sheikh.

“Goa has so much to offer in terms of heritage and culture, which people are still not aware of beyond their own local boundaries. In this second edition of the festival, we aim to throw a spotlight on these gems and educate the general public as there is yet so much of our heritage which is yet unknown to us, especially the younger generation. We hope that through the walks and workshops people are able to understand, connect and in turn preserve the heritage of the state,” says Heta Pandit of Heritage First Goa.

The festival also opens the door for individuals and businesses to play a role in heritage preservation by adopting a walk through modest contributions, helping sustain the operational costs and supporting the cause in a tangible way.

Registration for each event is mandatory, with limited slots available to ensure meaningful engagement. Tickets are priced at ₹750 per event, and attendees are encouraged to pre-book their slots to be part of this journey that celebrates Goa’s living legacy.

Goan Festivals

Celebrating Joy, Culture and Community at the First-Ever Khoshi Lokanchem Fest – The Happy People’s Festival!

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The spirit of Goa came alive on 5th April 2025 at the Goa College of Home Science with the successful debut of the Khoshi Lokanchem Fest – the Happy People’s Festival – curated by Festakar Marius Fernandes and hosted by Principal Dr. Mahesh Pai. This marked Festakar’s 99th inclusive festival, celebrating Goa’s vibrant heritage, culture, food, music, and people.

The day began with the symbolic Festakar Pasoi – a special knowledge-sharing walk around the college’s loom and textile laboratory, led by Marius Fernandes and Principal Dr. Pai. Dignitaries including Miguel Braganza, Alexyz, Avelino D’sa, Nicole Suares, Willy Goes, Sheryl Afonso, Louella Dias, and Fatima Bertha Fernandes joined in the ceremonial lamp lighting. Principal Dr. Pai officially opened the festival with a warm welcome, a presentation of a Kunbi shawl and a plant to Festakar.

Book Launch – “Across Three Continents: Legacy of Antonetta Fernandes”

The festival also witnessed the heartfelt launch of Across Three Continents: Legacy of Antonetta Fernandes, a powerful debut by Nicole Suares, published by Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas. Noted writer Willy Goes emphasized the importance of preserving family legacies through documentation.

Culture in Conversation & Performance

A midday highlight was the Ghumot Gozalli, a spirited discussion between Marius Fernandes and journalist Nicole Suares on the future of the Ghumot – Goa’s state instrument. In a festive moment, Dr. Pai cut a Ghumot-shaped cake while the Sunshine Band performed the traditional Konkani birthday song.

Making their debut were the 5G – Global Goan Girls’ Ghumot Group with a vibrant performance of Goa Beach by Kuljeet Bhamra, choreographed by Ragwi Raju Naik.

Goan Flavours, Health and Community Wellness

In the Bolcãocheo Gozalli sessions, Professor Sheryl Afonso led insightful talks with Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas on women’s health and nutrition, followed by a session with Suman Goswami on sugar-free Goan treats like sweet potato neureos and Ragi Tizaan.

A sugar-free food workshop was complemented by a bustling bazaar with over 20 stalls offering local sweets, plants, seasonal produce, and crafts.

Workshops, Inclusion & Artistic Showcases

Counsellor Louella Dias introduced a student flash mob, followed by impactful workshops on accessibility, inclusion, and diversity by Prakash Kamat. A traditional Diuli dance and a Kunbi saree draping demonstration by Dr. Charlotte Facho Lourenco, featuring Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas as the model, showcased Goa’s living textile heritage.

In a later Bolcãocheo Gozalli, Dr. Pai and Prakash Kamat discussed building an inclusive future for Goa.

The staff of the college—teaching and non-teaching—took the stage with Goenchim Noketram, choreographed by Louella Dias. The much-loved Kottieacho Nach, choreographed by Dr. Gwendolyn de Ornelas and conceptualized by Festakar Marius, brought the community together in a joyous cultural anthem.

Live music by Dr. Glenis Mendonca (guitar) and Renald Mendonca (violin) filled the air with beloved Konkani melodies, followed by a spirited closing performance by the Sunshine Band.

In her vote of thanks, Professor Sheryl Afonso acknowledged all contributors and participants. Festakar Marius Fernandes reflected, “Khoshi Lokanchem Fest brought together diverse voices, traditions and talents, building a people-powered platform where Goa’s legacy meets contemporary relevance.”

Looking Ahead – The 100th Festival!

The grand milestone – the 100th Fest – will take place on 12th April 2025 at the Goa College of Agriculture, Old Goa with the HONEY Fest, promising to inspire future generations through joy, collaboration, and cultural pride.