LONDON
In a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity and community spirit, V2GETHER hosted ‘The Family Jamboree 2025’ on a sunny weekend in Swindon, bringing the colourful and joyous essence of Goa’s São João festival to the heart of the UK community.
The free community event saw a gathering of people from various nationalities coming together in true festive spirit.
The festivities began with a short prayer and a heartfelt explanation of São João as a traditional Goan Catholic festival celebrated on June 24 to honour the birth of St John the Baptist. Organisers highlighted how the festival is marked in Goa by colourful parades, singing, traditional attire, and joyous leaps into wells, symbolising the saint’s baptism of Jesus.
A wave of Goan music soon filled the air as local Goan band ‘ReGoa’, alongside DJs Franky, Eduardo, Savio Mergulhao, MCs Sheila D'Costa and Gavin Braganza got the crowd moving.
Attendees, regardless of background, were seen dancing enthusiastically to an energetic mix of Goan folk songs, classics from Tiatrs, Bollywood chartbusters, and English dance hits — a true reflection of the multicultural vibe of the event.
The venue was alive with the aroma of cuisine as food stalls representing Caribbean, Portuguese, Nepali, Indian, and Goan traditions delighted the senses. Barbecued masalas sizzled alongside steaming Sannas and Sorpotel.
Local Goans added a traditional flair, donning colourful costumes and “Kopels” (floral crowns), while the event’s highlight included a beautifully curated Goan fruit and sweets hamper, which was presented to the Mayor of Swindon, Fay Howard.
The event also saw the presence of Swindon councillors and Heidi Alexandra, MP and Secretary of State for Transport, who warmly addressed the crowd. She praised the Goan community for their hard work, strong family values, and rich cultural contributions to British society — and delighted the audience by mentioning her fondness for Sannas, a beloved Goan delicacy.
“The Family Jamboree 2025 was not just a festival — it was a joyful testament to unity in diversity. By blending Goan tradition with global participation, V2GETHER successfully created a platform where cultures celebrated side by side,” said Swindon Parish Councillor Joseph Pereira, who traces his roots to Siolim.
“As the sun set on an afternoon of dance, laughter, and shared heritage, it was clear that the spirit of São João had truly made its mark in the UK,” he added.
