Photo credits: Lui Godinho
LONDON
Thousands of people from the UK and around the world attended the ‘The UK Goan Festival – The Original Goa Day’ organised by the The Goan Association (GOA UK) at the Cranford Community College grounds, London, on August 3 from 11 am to 8 pm.
RELIGIOUS SERVICE
The festival began with the Holy Mass presided over by Bishop Emeritus of Bombay Agnelo Gracias and concelebrated by Pilar Fathers in the UK Fr Renato Andrade, Fr Feroz Fernandes and Fr Stephen Dias, as well as Fr Seby D’Souza a visiting Pilar priest from Anjuna now working the missions at Jharkhand in Central India.
In his homily, Bishop Gracias emphasised the importance of maintaining a united community and the need to pass on the values to the younger generation.
“Today’s Mass is an invitation to move ahead unitedly as a community, keeping always our final goal in mind. We want to leave for our children not just money or material riches. We want to pass on to them the values we have received from our ancestors,” said Bishop Gracias.
He praised the GOA UK on its 59th Anniversary which has helped serve the Goan community and stated that this was the inauguration of the 60th Anniversary due for a grand celebration in 2026.
Fr Stephen Dias, Superior of Pilar Fathers in the UK, appealed to the congregation to pray for the beatification of Venerable Fr Angel de Souza, as part of efforts to have him canonised.
The choir ‘Rythmix’, an 85-member group of youth led by Vance Machado of Swindon, led the congregation in the hymns in Konkani.
After Mass, acclaimed Goan operatic baritone singer Oscar Castellino sang his own composition ‘Humble Franciscus’ in honour of late Pope Francis, and ‘La pace sia con tutti voi’, a prayer for Pope Leo XIV, ‘La Pace Sia Con Tutti Voi’, which were the first words uttered by the newly elected pope while greeting the people. Oscar was accompanied by Inacio Palmira (keyboard), Ajiton Estibeiro (aerophone), Neil De Mendonca (violin), Selvino Fernandes (bass guitar) and Stalin Vaz (rhythm guitar).
The Mass concluded with a procession led by GOA UK President Ravi Vaz from the altar and accompanied by ‘Echoes’, a traditional Goan brass band.
CULTURAL PROGRAMME
The Holy Mass was followed by a cultural programme with performances by a number of singers, musicians and dancers.
The performers included DJ Velfern, Anthony Marques, Maria and Jayden Carvalho, Eric Goa, Lanisha & Delisha, Daneera Rodriguese, Risma & Joanro, Fredrick & Sharlotte, Tommy, Bab Andrew, Albert, Silver Notes, Princeton Colaco, West Coast, Cielda Pereira, DJ Quincy, Rhythm Mates featuring Bismarc, DJ Mac Attack and DJ Ryan Nogar from Goa.
A video message from Remo Fernandes, who was due to perform at this event but was unable to be present due to ill-health, was then projected on the LED screen. Remo explained his situation and sent his best wishes, promising to be present at the event next year.
The highlight of the day was the band ‘Black in White’ from Goa, which performed various songs sung by Goa’s sensation, Mark Revlon, which included classics in Konkani and English songs, keeping the crowds on the feet.
There were about 40 stalls spread all around the ground consisting of Goan food stalls serving traditional Goan delicacies, tender coconuts and seasonal jackfruits. The Goa Chaplaincy in the UK also had a stall catering to food, an information desk and to promote the beatification of Venerable Fr Agnelo, besides a special raffle to raise funds to support the Goan Chaplaincy and the Pilar Fathers in the UK.
The Portuguese Consulate had also set up a desk to provide advice and guidance to Portuguese nationals in the UK.
Other activities included the Tilda Stall comprising free games, activities and promos, fairground rides for kids and adults.
THE DIGNITARIES
Among the guests at the festival included MP Valerie Vaz (Walsall & Bioxwich), Deepak Choudhary (Minister Coordination of the Indian High Commission), Luís Moitinho de Almeida (Deputy Consul General, Portuguese Consulate) and his team, Councillor Junue Meah (Deputy Mayor, Hounslow East), Councillor Shantanu Rajawat (Leader, Hounslow Council), Councillor Pritam Grewal (Hounslow Council), Councillor Ajmal Akram (Brent Council), Councillor Sunil Chopra (London Bridge & Bremondsey), Antonio Cunha (Councillor of Portuguese Consulate), Imtiyaz Shaikh (former Mayor of Swindon) and Crystelle Pereira (Master Chef finalist).
Deputy Consul General, Portuguese Consulate Luís Moitinho de Almeida also addressed the gathering towards the end of the day,
THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
On behalf of the GOA (UK) Board of Directors, GOA UK President Ravi Vaz thanked the gathering for the support and ensured that the 60th anniversary next year would be a grand show.
He expressed his gratitude to the guests who travelled from across the UK, India, Europe, the Middle East, the US, and Canada to attend the festival, exemplifying the true spirit of ‘Goenkarancho Ekvot’.
Vaz also thanked the Hounslow Council, local police, 3PLEH and Beast Security, the sponsors, volunteers and the GOA UK Board of Directors and their families for their support to the ‘The UK Goan Festival’.
