Come November 15, 2022, and there will be walks, talks, music, dance, literature and poetry, food, beverages and entertainment right from sunrise to sunset.
The Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) invites one and all to celebrate the rich and diverse cultural legacies of India’s smallest state at the Campal Heritage Precinct on the Mandovi Riverfront.
The event will showcase glimpses of Goan heritage by way of art, music, book, conversations, dance and more.
What's happening?
The five days of fun will see 40 artists and 43 craftspeople, all of who are Goan. Added to the list are 20 heritage walks and tours (explaining Goa's heritage) and 20 local culinary and beverage delights. Keeping the well-being of the planet in mind, the festival is aiming to be a ‘zero-waste’ event.
The Campal Heritage Precinct will host this edition of the festival. "While many of the houses in this area still reflect the architectural style of an era gone by, the quiet lanes and the beautiful F L Gomes Garden, with its beautiful bandstand, make it the ideal backdrop to showcase some of Goa's vibrant culture and history," explained Heta Pandit, Vice Chairperson of GHAG.
Kids corner and more
The activity angle of this festival will include guided heritage walks across various parts of Goa, an insightful lecture series, literary and poetry sessions which will focus on themes related to Goa and various genres of live music.
Additionally, a corner will be dedicated to kids, and will be known as the ‘Kids Corner’. This zone will be dedicated to children where they can immerse themselves in a range of activities, craft sessions, games and reading sessions.
An intriguing segment, curated by Vivek Menezes, will shed light on literature. This segment will include book launches and talks. Mallika Sarabhai, Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, Rana Safvi, Pragya Bhagat, Nature Conservation Society and Heta Pandit (Stories from Goan Houses) will launch their books at the festival.
Heritage walks
At another segment of the festival, Jack Ajit Sukhija will curate the heritage walks alongside Heta Pandit. "A unique perspective on Goa's abandoned history, heritage and culture will be provided through the series of walking tours, planned for the Goa Heritage Festival, which will be led by local experts such as Soul Travelling, Make It Happen etc.
Nowadays, we see numerous visitors choosing heritage excursions, which indicates that they are interested in learning more about Goa and how it has evolved over time," said Sukhija.
"Today, many of the country's creative luminaries have relocated to Goa. Coupled with our local artists from the state, Goa is a hub for art. Cultural heritage includes tangible culture, which includes art, artefacts, sculptures and buildings. This is the reason we will be showcasing different forms of art in this heritage precinct," added Cezar Pinto, member of GHAG.
Pop-up bazaar
A pop-up bazaar, where local home-grown brands will retail an array of Goan handicrafts, art and food, will also be present. This initiative by Natasha and Bhakti will offer a platform for local talent to showcase their offerings.
Not forgetting that no Goan festival is complete without its delicious cuisine, music, dance and entertainment, the event will serve local Goan delicacies, drinks and more.
An event for all, since the year 2000, the Goa Heritage Action Group has always pledged to promote inclusivity by making an effort to highlight Goan heritage to, both, the state authorities and bureaucracy as well as the general public through a series of events, festivals and other projects.