The pioneering Goa Heritage Festival which first focused attention on Panjim’s cultural and architectural heritage over two decades ago is set for a spectacular renaissance on 15-19 November, in the Campal Heritage Precinct on the Mandovi riverfront. Organized and curated once again by the Goa Heritage Action Group to celebrate India’s smallest state’s rich and diverse cultural legacies, there will be walks, talks, music, dance, literature and poetry, food, beverages and entertainment for the entire family from morning past sunset. All are welcome.
Explained Heta Pandit, Vice Chairperson of GHAG, “For most visitors to Goa its heritage is restricted to the historic monuments and picturesque bylanes of the city. Goa has so much more to offer. Goa Heritage Festival 2022 will showcase glimpses of that heritage through art, music, books, talks, heritage walks, dance and more.”
The five-day event will witness 40 Goan artists, 43 Goan craftspersons, 20 heritage walks and tours which explain facets of Goa’s heritage and over 20 local culinary and beverage experiences during the festival.
This edition of the festival will be zero waste. “Goa Heritage Festival will aim to be a zero-waste festival”, added Heta. “Through partnerships with various companies, waste-collection rewards and other systems we will leave the Campal area clean as it is”, she added.
The Campal Heritage Precinct will play host to this edition of the festival. “While many of the houses in this area still reflect the architectural style of an era gone by, the quiet bylanes and the beautiful F.L. Gomes garden with its beautiful bandstand make it the ideal backdrop to showcase some of Goa’s vibrant culture and history,” said Heta.
Activities through the festival include guided heritage walks across various parts of Goa, an insightful lecture series, literary and poetry sessions on Goa related themes and live music across genres. The Kids Corner will be a zone dedicated to children where they can immerse themselves in a range of activities, craft sessions, games and reading sessions.
Vivek Menezes is curating an interesting and insightful segment on literature which includes talks and book launches. Mallika Sarabhai, Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, Rana Safvi, Pragya Bhagat, Nature Conservation Society and Goa’s Heta Pandit will be launching their books at the festival.
For us at Planet-Goa, our team is driven by that feeling of exhilaration that one gets when discovering that something ‘unique’ and ‘new’ about Goa for our ever-so-discerning readers.
