What are the ingredients that go in making sweet like patoleos or goddsem? How do you play goddeanim? What is the difference between Zagor and Shigmo? All such queries on Goan History & Culture will be creatively dealt with in a holiday camp with the theme ‘A Fun Tour Around Goan History and Culture’ being jointly organised by the Porvorim-based Jesuit research organisations – Xavier Centre of Historical Research (XCHR) and Thomas Stephens Konkani Kendr (TSKK) for school children from std VI – VIII from 6-10 November.
Now you may wonder what have research organisations to do with school children and holiday camps. For the past few years both XCHR & TSKK have been using innovative methods of creating interest in the history & culture of the land among youngsters by conducting school-level competitions such as storytelling, poetry recitation, Making Diwali Lanterns, Quizzes, etc. For example the Goa History Quiz Competition started in 2011 has been growing in popularity and the 3rd edition of the quiz held in August 2013 witnessed more than 360 high school students from 46 schools participating in it. Both Fr. Savio Abreu, director of XCHR & Fr. Apollo Cardozo, director of TSKK took charge in June 2011 and have ushered in a new focus and more vibrancy in the two institutions. They believe that research interest in Goan history and culture should not be restricted only to a select academic and scholarly audience but must spread to all sections of society. So besides targeting academic audiences through talks, seminars and conferences, they are attracting other sections of society through innovative and creative programmes. The holiday camp is one such venture to stimulate interest in one’s own history and culture by communicating knowledge in a fun-filled manner. The six-day holiday camp offers a panoramic view of the historical arena and cultural mosaic of Goa while engaging the children in various creative activities. Dr. Pandurang Phaldesai will lead the children into the world of Goan folk culture while the young and talented Ms. Ana Marie Remedios will make the children swing and sway to the rhythm of Goan folk dances. The well-known cartoonist Alexyz will channelize the artistic talents of the children in his session “Fun shop with Alexyz”. Our culinary expert, Mrs. Iris D’Souza will tickle the taste buds of the youngsters and identify the budding chefs in her two sessions on “Making of Goan delicacies”. Ms. Theodora will acquaint the children with Goan fruits, vegetables and animals by teaching them how to mould balloons into different shapes in her session “Balloon Sculpting”. Mrs. Emy Fernandes, a craft teacher for many years, will stimulate the creative skills of the children while teaching them to make several decorative items in her two sessions on “Creative Craft work”. The well-known historian Mr. Prajal Sakhardande will lead the children into the fascinating treasure land of Goan heritage, while the famous agriculturist Mr. Miguel Braganza will teach the children the fragrance of flowers like aboli and champa as he introduces them to the rich diversity of the flora and fauna that our state possesses. Our budding Jesuit historian, Br. Malcolm Barreto will offer glimpses of Goan history to the children through presentations and activities like quizzes, skits, etc. Bookworm will introduce the children to Goan fables and folk tales, while trying to inculcate the reading habit in the youngsters. A field trip to the museum ‘Houses of Goa' will enlighten the young minds to the type of architecture and designs prevalent in old colonial houses. Date: Nov 6 to 10, 2013 Time: 9.30 am to 5 pm daily Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
