LONDON
Over 9,000 people were treated to Goan music, food and culture at the ‘Goa Day London’ festival organised by ShowBizGlobal Ltd in association with Rave Nation at Cranford in Hounslow, West London, on July 20.
Goa’s nightingale Lorna returned to the festival for the fourth consecutive year to captivate the sea of people with iconic Konkani songs, which have made her a household name among Goans across the world. Apart from Lorna, Rita Rose, along with Engelbert and Alria Rose, made their debut at the Goa Day festival in London.
THE MASS
The festival began with a concelebrated Mass presided over by Fr Jorge Fernandes from the Archdiocese of Goa, who flew from Goa specially for the occasion.
In his homily at the Konkani Mass, Fr Fernandes called upon Goans settled in the UK to abide by the teachings of the Catholic Church by maintaining moral and spiritual values, while remaining grounded in Goan culture and to help others in need.
A Goan choir led by Aldrich Fernandes from the Cranford Catholic Church led the congregation in the Konkani hymns. Peter Miranda, along with Brunette Pereira, Larissa Rodrigues and Alaska Barretto, assisted the service.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
The cultural programme started soon after Mass with Konkani artistes singing various Konkani tunes. The solo performers included Ashley Dias, Everly, Valeire, Bladwin NLR, Ivor Neve, Menino Mario Da Silva, Peyton Pires and others. Bands performing at the festival included ‘Shine On, ‘ClayJars’ and ‘Injunktion’.
The star attraction at the festival was Goa’s nightingale Lorna, who was accompanied by ‘Framton & Team’ on stage. Her presence on stage captivated the sea of people, who travelled from different parts of the UK and beyond, as she sang several iconic Konkani songs, much to the delight of the people who sang and danced to the songs.
The family trio of Rita Rose, along with her son Engelbert and daughter Alria, also sang several of their popular songs.
Rita Rose while performing during the ‘Goa Day London’ festival at Cranford in Hounslow, West London.
DJ Jonathan Barretto, his 8-year-old daughter, DJ Jonaisa, and DJ McAttack also kept the crowd on their toes.
MC Bunty Vaz, along with two Goan MCs, Merlyn D’Silva and Felly Gomes, entertained the crowd throughout the day. The stage was managed by Albano Fernandes.
THE STALLS
There were a number of stalls at the festival, offering traditional food from Goa.
The Goan caterers included Ferns Caters, Delights Cafe, St Anthony Caterers, Vailankani Cafe, Goenche Cuisine among others. There was a licensed bar and also an area for children to play.
THE GUESTS
Among the guests present on the occasion were the UK’s Under Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities) and Parliamentary Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) MP Seema Malhotra, Goa’s Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao and Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, along with Leader of Hounslow Council Shantanu Rajawat.
In her address, Malhotra praised the Goan community and the organisers at the Goa Day London festival.
“At a time when we see growing politics of division, we are proud of the diversity and heritage of our different communities. We are proud of how we integrate together so that we are one Hounslow and we are one United Kingdom,” said Malhotra, while concluding with the Konkani greeting “Dev Borem Korum”.
Earlier, newly elected Goan Councillor Pamela Rodrigues thanked the crowd for supporting her during the recent council elections.
Engelbert Rose and Alria Rose, children of legendary singer Alfred Rose, while performing during the ‘Goa Day London’ festival at Cranford in Hounslow, West London.
Goa’s Leader of Opposition MLA Yuri Alemao and Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, who flew in specially for the Goa Day celebrations, also addressed the gathering.
Alemao pledged to work for the welfare of Goans and appealed to Goans in the UK to be united and keep ‘Goa first’.
“Together, we will all work together to protect our identity, known for its culture, food and values,” said D’Costa.
Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa also emphasised the importance of being united and maintaining Goan values.
Hounslow is ‘Little Goa’: Council Leader
Leader of Hounslow Council Shantanu Rajawat was all praise for the Goan community, stating that they had contributed to the local economy and to society.
In his address at the ‘Goa Day London’ festival, Rajawat said there were about 45 Goan restaurants in Hounslow and that he was happy to consider Hounslow as the ‘Little Goa’.
“I am so proud that a brilliant Goan diaspora contributes to the local economy and to the society. It is a real source of pride to me that the two biggest Goa Day celebrations across the country are both held in Cranford, Hounslow,” he said.
