LONDON
Thousands of people from around the UK and beyond attended The UK Goan Festival ‘The Original Goa Day', organised by The Goan Association (GOA UK), at Cranford Community College grounds in Hounslow, London, on August 2. The event also marked the diamond jubilee of the GOA UK.
THE MASS
The festival began with the Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Goa Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão and concelebrated by Pilar Fathers in the UK Fr Lucas Rodrigues, Fr Renato Andrade, Fr Feroz Fernandes and Fr Stephen Dias, as well as Fr Patrick D’Souza and Fr Francis Rosario, who flew in from Goa and had earlier served at the Goa Chaplaincy in the UK, and Fr Alexander Da Costa Fernandes, a Benedictine priest from Worth Abbey, Sussex.
In his homily, Cardinal Ferrão expressed joy to celebrate the Eucharist with the Goan community at the Goa Day and thanked GOA UK for bringing together the Goan community living in the UK.
“Though many miles separate you from the land of your birth or your family roots, you have come to celebrate something that no distance can diminish: your faith in Christ, your rich Christian heritage, and the bonds that unite you with Goa,” said Cardinal Ferrão.
“Migration inevitably brings opportunities. But it also brings challenges. Living in another country means learning another culture, raising children in a different environment, balancing different identities, and, for people of faith, ensuring that material success does not come at the cost of spiritual death.”
The cardinal appealed to the congregation to pray for the beatification of Goa’s illustrious son, Venerable Fr Angelo de Souza, as part of efforts to have him canonised.
Simon Varella and Kathleen D’Costa read the first and second readings, respectively, while Prayers of the Faithful were delivered by Philip Fernandes and Jaliza Fernandes.
The choir, comprising members from Southall, Swindon, Wembley, Hounslow and Cranford, was conducted by Aldrich Fernandes from the Cranford choir.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
The Mass was followed by a cultural programme with performances by a number of singers, bands and dancers.
Sebastian Fernandes from Swindon began the opening tune, ‘Goa Day’, followed by ‘Hanv Chedu’ by Eleanora Fernandes and a ‘Mankulim Motiam Dance Group’ by Sharlotte & Reema. ‘Goemchim Dulpodam’ by Ivor Gomes presented dulpod dances, while Vance Machado's group ‘Rhythmix’ from Swindon also performed.
Bands performing at the festival included ‘Shine On’, ‘West Coast’, ‘Altitude’, ‘Godgodo’, ‘The 7 Notes’, and ‘Raagas2Riches’, while DJs Velfern, Skeletron, Queency, Fulton and Rayan Nogar also entertained the crowds.
Addressing the gathering, Remo explained his health condition and his reason to retire from public performances, stating that this would be his last public performance.
Remo said he was unable to perform at the Goa Day festival last year due to ill health, and said he was keen to perform for Goans in the UK this time.
Instead of his legendary showmanship on stage, Remo sat on a high chair and delivered several of his iconic songs, which have captivated people across the world. He was accompanied by his band ‘The Microwave Papadums’.
THE STALLS
Various food and other stalls were set up at the festival.
The Goa Chaplaincy in the UK had an information desk to promote the beatification of Venerable Fr Agnelo, while the Goan Welfare Society also set up a stall.
Former UK minister Keith Vaz’s diabetic charity ‘Silver Star’ set up a mobile clinic to offer free check-up and advice.
Goan Association UK also had a stall, where the Deputy Consul General Luis Motinho de Almeida and Francisca Gonçalves provided advice and guidance on consular services.
Other activities included games, activities and promos, and fairground rides for kids and adults.
THE DIGNITARIES
Guests at the festival included Ashwini Naidu Sattaru (Ministry for Education, International Organisations, representing the High Commission of India); MP Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Isleworth and Chair of the Transport Committee in the House of Commons); the Mayor of Hounslow, Ranjit Gill; Shantanu Rajawat (Leader of Hounslow Council); and Councillor Pamela Rodrigues (Hounslow Council), and councillors from Swindon and London.
Retired Justice Ferdino Rebello, former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court in India and an activist from Goa, addressed the gathering about the situation in Goa.
Video messages were presented by the Secretary of State of the Portuguese Communities Lisbon, Emila Souza; the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Periasamy Kumaran; and the Consulate General of Portugal in London, Ana Brito e Maneira.
THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
On behalf of the GOA (UK) Board of Directors, GOA UK President Ravi Vaz thanked the gathering for their presence and support. He expressed his gratitude to Cardinal Ferrão, Remo Fernandes, the performers and guests who travelled far and wide to attend the festival, exemplifying the true spirit of ‘Goenkarancho Ekvot’.
Later speaking about his experience at the show, Remo stated that it was absolutely fantastic and never expected such a reaction from the crowd.
He thanked GOA UK President Ravi Vaz for extending the second invitation this year as he could not attend last year.The finale was a surprise, when lead singers from various Goan bands, ClayJar, West Coast, Altitude and Raagas2Riches gathered on stage to give a tribute to Remo.
Remo was later presented with a special handmade memento by a Goan artist Krystal Fernandes depicting various aspects in his legacy.
