The Spirit of Goa festival, a popular tourism event, will be held in Colva, Salcete, most likely from April 14 to 16. The festival will be an opportunity to showcase local talent in Salcete and promote cashew and coconut fenis. The tourism department will hold the festival after a gap of ten years.
As per news reports, a joint meeting was held for which Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, tourism director and Colva Sarpanch were present. The meeting discussed the hosting of the festival in the scenic village of Colva.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas said that he wanted to promote tourism in South Goa and such a festival would help in this endeavour. He said during the assembly session, he had put up a proposal on the organisation of tourism-related festivals in South Goa.
It is learnt that the meeting also decided to promote Goan drinks such as cashew feni and coconut feni. Although cashew feni has already obtained the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, more emphasis will be laid on getting the GI tag for coconut feni during the festival.
This festival will give a platform to local singers and artists to showcase their talent and some sections will be dedicated to them.
Self-help groups from Salcete and local women will get an opportunity to set up stalls. These women will get a chance to sell their products.
Colva Sarpanch Suzie Fernandes said the festival will benefit locals like taxi operators, shopkeepers and restaurant owners. "There are singers and talented people in South Goa, they will get an opportunity to showcase their talent at this festival," she added.
The sarpanch said the festival will attract tourists to Colva and it was important to have such events annually. "During the meeting with the tourism director and MLA Venzy Viegas, we were shown a plan to set up this festival in Colva.
Parking arrangements, main stage etc were discussed during this meeting. The tourism department official has assured us that soon they will come for a site inspection," she added.