MAPUSA
In a bid to introduce new activities in the tourism calendar, the Tourism Department will officially celebrate the ‘Chikal Kalo’ and ‘Sao Joao’ festivals in the State from this year onwards.
A three-day Chikal Kalo, which literally means playing in the mud, will be celebrated in Marcela, while the Sao Joao festival will be held at Old Goa.
“We need to ensure that our culture comes alive. We should see that domestic and international tourists get a chance to taste various facets of our culture… Goa is not only about Carnival and Shigmo. We need to showcase various other festivals which are unique to the State,” said Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte.
The first two days of the Chikal Kalo event will showcase various cultural programmes and the real Chikal Kalo dance will be celebrated on the last day.
“The three-day Chickal Kalo at Marcela will give us a new start to talk about new events that are coming which will showcase the culture of Goa in the true sense. We have to have a balance between what we were and how we need to move ahead,” Khaunte said.
The Tourism Minister also said that the department will hold such events at different places in the State.
“We are exploring different areas to hold the events. It’s not only about one city or one place… Each event will find a new destination,” he said.
