PANAJI
The Latin quarters of the capital city -- St Tome and Fontainhas -- are bracing up to host a new festival in a bid to revive their cultural lustre of old.
Reputed musicians, culinary artists, restauranteurs, artists, apprentices, citizens among others have joined hands to organise the first edition of ‘Festa do Povo’ (people's festival) later this month.
'Festa do Povo' is supported by the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and will be financed through crowdfunding.
It will be held at Fontainhas' St Sebestian ward on December 9 from 7 pm to 10 pm and at the Sao Tome ward on December 10 again from 6 pm to 10 pm.
On day one, St Sebastian ward will host folk music with one of the performers Carlos Meneses, a part of ‘Ekchar’, being a resident of the locale.
Ekchar will dish out mandos, dulpods and other popular music in Konkani as well as fados -- Portuguese urban folk music.
Stalls at the venue will have food inspired by Indo-Portuguese influences and will be set up strictly by residents of the wards themselves.
“The food will be Goan centric, prepared by women from the ward. There will be a distinct Goan and Portuguese flavour with dishes like feijoada, apa de camarao, pasteis de nata besides traditional Goan snacks sourced from within the ward (Bairro)”, according to Christopher Menezes, a resident of the ward and one of those involved in organising it.
Some stalls will also be set up by restaurants and bars operating in the locality. One such stall, offering traditional Goan bread loaded with beef, pork and vegetarian fillings will be set up by Russel Pinto who runs ‘Pinto Sando’ there.
A children’s choir ‘Ektaal’ trained by Nayantara Mascarenhas De Lima Leitao will perform Christmas carols and bands like ‘Still Waters’ are lined up to revive old vibes with jazz music. Another band, ‘Sound of Music’ is expected to play retro music.
Famed 'Ashok Bar' and its quintessential chicken Xacuti at their stall, modern Goan-Japanese poee sandwiches by Mo’s Cafe, pan-Asian besides Portuguese and Goan cuisine by Tataki are some of the food attractions.
Greenr Cafe, Petisco and Larder + Folk will also have their stalls exhibited.
Padaria Prazeres will showcase their stall and a barbeque stall will be hosted by Atish Fernandes of Miski and Joseph Bar.
Musicians like Francis Paul Menezes, a member of The Riffs band. “The Riffs will showcase Goan art, heritage and culture through Konkani and Portuguese music.
An open air exhibition of art by some 20 artists will dot the entire locality and in its heritage residential homes with students of the Goa College of Art also displaying their work.
