PANAJI: The Art Chamber in Calangute celebrated World Goa Day Fest, commemorating the 80th birthday of the renowned artist Alexyz. This 88th festival curated by Festakar Marius Fernandes displayed Goan culture, art and community spirit. The crowd-funded event was attended by people from Bardez, São José de Areal, Cuncolim, Loutolim, and Curtorim.
One of the highlights was the ‘Balçaoacheo Gozalli’ featuring live interactions between journalist Nicole Suares and Alexyz who spoke about his childhood in Mumbai and horticulturist Miguel Braganza spoke with Konkani Dalgado Academy president Celso Fernandes.
Dr Glenis Mendonsa (guitar) and Renald Mendonça (violin) performed Konkani music. The Pietro brothers and BBC captured the essence of Goa’s musical traditions with coconut shells and Ghumot.
There were workshops too. Andrea Fernandes from São José de Areal led a culinary session with the Saxttiçar Festam team, including Dr Gwendolyn de Ornelas, Adv Agnelo Furtado, J Santana Rodrigues, and Julio Furtado. A workshop on beekeeping and honey harvesting was led by Goa’s ‘Drone Man’ Carmellito Andrade who demonstrated age-old techniques of hive maintenance.
Akshay Bhangle, a visually impaired postgraduate and assistant consulting officer shared his memories of attending Festakar’s previous Muzzgachem Fest at the National Association of the Blind (NAB). Festakar Marius Fernandes who curated the event for Alexyz stated, “Alexyz has always been a pillar of support for budding artists in Goa, and this fest is a small gesture of our appreciation for his invaluable contributions.” Botanical Society of Goa marketplace had vendors selling various delicacies, pickles, handcrafted items.
