Sao Joao is a popular festival in Goa and it is also celebrated with similar fun and frolic by the Goan diaspora. FRANKEY FERNANDES provides details on Sao Joao celebrations which were either celebrated or being planned across the world
The Sao Joao celebrations by the Goan community in California.
DUBAIAfter six successful Sao Joao events between 2016-2021, Green Leaf Events Organising LLC, a company synonymous with major events across the UAE along with United UAE Goans will once again host the annual “Festa Sao Joao Event” in Dubai on June 25 from 1.30 pm to 5 pm with the Signature Sao Joao Brunch at Signature Restaurant by Celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor followed by Festa Sao Joao After Party from 5pm to 3am at Estrellas Rooftop - Canvas Hotel.
The highlight will be the outdoor pool coupled with an indoor venue for a minimum of 700-1000 persons with live entertainment featuring four live bands (international and local) alongside 5 of Dubai's popular DJ’s.
Green Leaf Events will conduct entertainment activities for kids such as face painters, balloon benders, jugglers, mascots and various competitions. Besides, prizes will be given throughout the event.
Non-stop music will be provided by top bands and DJs from Goa and Dubai - Mark Revlon, Johnny and Reza, Treble Clef Band, Sanio Fernades, EZD (Goan Rapper), DJ Daenan, DJ Valentino, DJ Tony D, DJ Frank and VDJ Pink Candy.
The 'Sao Joao Pool Party' will also feature Line Dance with Tony D, the Kopel competition and Goan food Live Stations.
PARIS
The Goan Association in Paris will organise the traditional feast of Sao Joao at the Church of Notre Dame in Des-Champs, Paris, on June 26.
A Mass in Konkani will be celebrated by Goan Jesuit priest Fr Shannon Pereira at 12.30 pm.
On the occasion, there will be a get-together with games and tambola. Music will be provided by DJs Remedios Fernandes and Savio Cardozo.
To mark the event, Sao Joao T-Shirts have been specially designed in different sizes.
“The Goan Association in Paris is a humble community of Goan, actually leading a life exactly that of being in Goa. To keep up the Goan spirit, villages such as Siridao, Agassaim and Goa Velha celebrate religious festivals throughout the year, which include the celebration of Masses," explained Donna Alvita.
"We also welcome tiatrists from the UK to act on stage here in Paris and we organise picnics for children and adults.”
“The Goan Association will celebrate the festival of Sao Joao with traditional costumes and music. This time, we also have distributed T-shirts to make it a memorable experience after the Covid pandemic.”
“To celebrate our Goan culture, we have both live and DJ music. Besides, dishes are generously prepared by our women and the buffet is filled with traditional dishes,” adds Donna.
ADELAIDE
Sao Joao Adelaide 2022 will be organised at the Newton Parish hall on June 25 evening with Goan buffet consisting of Pork Sausages, Chicken Xacutti and Goan Style Bhaji, with live music by Peter Lobo.
The programme compered by Jack will include the traditional Kopel March and the Sao Joao theme song and dancing to live Goan and English songs.
There will be games for adults and children organised by Gundru’s and Jack. Dishes are cooked by volunteers for a total of 250 and all proceeds of the programme, which is estimated at about 4,000 Australian Dollars, will be given to the Capuchins in Goa.
The entrance fee with the buffet meal is 15$ for seniors and under-14 and 20$ for the adults.
There is an added attraction this year with the Goan Masala dance with cards. Spot prizes, prize for the best Kopel and bingo are some of the highlights of the programme.
CALIFORNIA
June 19 marked the return of the ‘CalifornianGoans' with their beloved Sao Joao celebration. The cultural holiday, celebrating the birthday of John the Baptist, celebrated the ripe fruits of the season through ornate fruit displays, well jumping, and community jubilations.
This year's holiday found the event returned to Rengstorff park, Mountain View, CA. Rich cultural traditions were in attendance, brought through the annual cooking competition where dishes like Beef Roulade, Dukrachem Kharem Mas, Pork/Beef Roast Goan won the hearts of Goans. Coal grilled Racheado mackerel, wrapped in foil and still steaming was an added bonus.
One of the most enjoyable festivals, all activities found eager participants. Kopel contests flush in garden rainbows, stall games, the soccer finals, volleyball, live group singing of the Sao Joao song, and even an entrance complete with palm trees and images of waterfalls.
All concluded with the sweet sips of fragrant honey-ginger tea, placing the cherry very warmly on top of this year's summer celebration of family and friends.
LONDON
Two prominent areas of Goan settlements, Tooting in Southeast London and Southall in West London, will celebrate the feast of St John the Baptist on Friday evening.
In the South East, Rosario Cota, who is part of the local church committee, is organising the function at St Boniface RC Church Hall with his local church community. This function is open to all in the parish and surrounding areas. While no admission fees are being charged, the organising committee has arranged for free snacks and soft drinks, a contribution from the Goan committee members. The Goan speciality like pork vindaloo and chicken xacuti are among the dishes being prepared by committee members.
Live music will be provided by a Goan group and the invitees have been requested to dress in traditional San Joao fancy dress attire.
On the western belt of London, comprising areas in Hounslow, Southall and Wembley, another group under the banner of Goan Community Association, Southall are organising a fancy dance at their Parish of St Anselm’s Catholic Church. The Goan band ‘Reunion’ will be in attendance at this annual function.
Prizes for the best ‘Coppel’ and other fancy dresses are also planned. The committee has plans for 200 paid guests and an admission fee includes snacks and dinner.
Apart from having fun for the Festa de Sao Joao in traditional Goan style, the Goan community aims to raise funds for the parish priest’s residence.
Speaking to The Global Goenkar, Teodoro Colaco, a committee member, said they have raised funds for their church through various activities.
“We have a goal to assist our parish priest’s residence which is in need of urgent repairs. Also, we are keen to create awareness of our Goan traditions among the younger generation,” said Colaco.
TORONTO
The Goan Overseas Association (G.O.A.) in Toronto, Canada will host the Festa de Sao Joao, a traditional celebration at the Goan Community Centre, Brampton on June 24 at 7.30 pm.
The event will feature great music by The Band Syndicate led by Joe Gomes. A celebration with friends and family, that includes delicious Goan food and the highlight of the evening will be the best ‘Copel’.
[With inputs from The Global Goenkar correspondents in London and Paris]
