Goa to host Heritage Festival India Blooms News Service Panaji, Apr 15 (IBNS) The Goa Tourism Department, along with Goa Tourism Development Corporation, will organize the Goa Heritage Festival at Saligao from April 18-21 that will showcase and promote the state's heritage.
The festival coincides with World Heritage Day which also falls on April 18. The venue of the festival is near Mae de Deus Church, Saligao - a 125-year-old heritage structure in Saligao. It will be inaugurated by Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in the presence of state Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, Goa Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Nilesh Cabral, Principal Secretary Tourism R K Verma and other officials. Parulekar said that the Government of Goa wants to promote heritage tourism and showcase Goa's rich heritage. "Through this festival, domestic as well as international tourists will get an opportunity to witness our heritage and even interact with local artisans. We invite everyone to come and experience this authentic Goan festival," he said. The festival will be an ideal opportunity for Goans and tourist to witness, understand and enjoy Goa's rich heritage. Visitors will be able to witness artisans displaying their crafts with live demonstrations. There will also be stalls exhibiting unique Goan crafts like pottery, woodcraft, crochet, marco, handicrafts, and coconut craft. A Goan food court will tickle the taste buds of visitors with exotic traditional cuisine along with Goan desserts. A special gallery will be set up to exhibit ancient Goan photographs titled 'Great Goans in History' that will showcase the traditional way of life for Goans. There will be a section for heritage items used by the Goans along with Konkani books. Visitors will also be able to participate in workshops for traditional Goan dramas, dances and other forms of art. Konkani films will also be screened during the festival. The entertainment programme will include performances of Goan dances like Dhalo, Mando, Fugdi, Ghode Modni, Goff, Divli dance, Kunbi dance, Kalshi dance, and fisherfolk dance along with a special exhibition on extinct Goan traditional items like Jagor, Morulo, Khel Tiatr, brass band, etc. There will be a fashion show on traditional Goan wear by well-known Goan designer Verma D'Mello, Konkani songs by Sonia Shirsat, and classical performance by Praveen Gaonkar among others. Goa's artistic history will be highlighted by Kanta Gawde & Troupe, Amelia Dias and Troupe, John Fernandes & Troupe, Ajit Kundaikar & Troupe, Pundalik Sawant & Troupe, Marianela Gina & Troupe, Mil Mel Nel, etc. Eminent personalities from Goa will be felicitated in appreciation of their contribution in various fields. http://www.indiablooms.com/TravelDetailsPage/2013/travelDetails150413a.php ~Avelino
