Captured by : CARNIVAL - FINANCIAL AID FOR FLOATS
PANAJI: Keen on improving the quality and standard of floats at the Goa Carnival next year, the GTDC through a project sponsored by the European Commission has decided to provide grant of financial assistance upto Rs 1 lakh each to at least 20 floats, the selection process for which will begin shortly.
Goa Tourism is working round the clock to position Goa Carnival as a Premiere State tourism event and is working on this project in association with Brouhaha International an arts organization based in Liverpool United Kingdom. The project is entitled ‘Destination Carnival’ which is aimed at exchange of ideas and talents across three countries namely UK, South Africa and Goa India.
Applications have been invited from interested participants, artists, float fabricators for the same. According to the guidelines laid down, the float participants will have to partake in the float parades held in all four cities Panjim, Margao, Mapusa and Vasco.
The applicants seeking the assistance will have to submit the sketch of the float specifications, concept and design, and will thereafter be shortlisted by a panel. The shortlisted applicants will be called for a presentation before the selection committee and the selected floats will be sanctioned the grants thereafter.
Minister for Tourism Dilip Parulekar said “We want to see Carnival evolving while also maintaining the traditional essence that is displayed through the float parades, performances and activities. People throng to Goa for the Carnival every year which is the only event of its kind held in Goa. Hence the endeavor is to motivate float designers to come forth with creative and original concepts so that the floats are attractive, have good designs, and have good performances in keeping with the themes. We have been showcasing Carnival to the world during the last three years and it is very encouraging to see that we now have international sponsorship to help improve on Carnival floats, performances and so on.”
Similarly, the GTDC has invited applications from carnival artists, and dance performers between 18-30 years who would like to participate in the project.
The objective is to provide them an opportunity for developing into young artists and dance performers with the ultimate goal driven towards professional competencies. This will also go a long way in equipping them with skills so as to ensure proper up-gradation of organizational capacities of Carnival in these respective countries.
Selected candidates will get an opportunity to travel to Cape Town and Liverpool UK as part of the exchange programme.
The GTDC is in the process of appointing selection committees who will meet in December to scrutinize all the applications that come for seeking financial grants and for participation from Goan youth in the exchange programmes.
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GUIDELINES FOR EC AID
* Participants will have to take part in the parades at all four cities -- Panaji, Margao, Mapusa and Vasco
* Applicants will have to submit the sketch of the float specifications, concept and design
* The shortlisted applicants will be called for a presentation before the selection committee
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We have been showcasing Carnival to the world during the last three years and it is very encouraging to see that we now have international sponsorship
- Dilip Parulekar, Minister for Tourism
