Pics: Rewon Gomes
Kuwait Goan Association president Salvador Dias organized the first of its kind event “Sao Joao Fiesta 2011” recently in Kuwait.
The Sao Joao feast is one of the numerous festivals held in Goa every year and it always falls on June 24. This tradition which has been celebrated for over 175 years in Goa and other Indian states, and also in South Asian countries, is known for its unique traditions, which includes a procession of young people going from door to door to collect fruit and gifts.
Another fascinating tradition includes men jumping into wells. Beyond that there is singing, dancing, boat races and playing traditional music using the gummot and brass instruments. According to legend, the feast saw its origins during Biblical times.
The event in Kuwait was to the great surprise to the large vibrant Goan community and was compered by the inimitable Merwyn Pereira. KGA President welcomed chief guest Sharon Alemao D’Costa and guest of honour Denis D’Costa and other invitees.
The organizers attributed the success of the event to the support from the large number of people who had gathered. Sponsors of the event included Al Muzaini Exchange Co., Ghazal Insurance Co. / Bajaj Allianz, Mughal Mahal, Almaria Co., Baskin Robbins, Lulu Hypermarkets, Churchill Brothers (Goa), advocate Valanka Alemao (Goa), Bhasin Co., Dana Optics, M&M Confectionery, Fitwell Tailor, Super Middle East Frieght & Logistics Co., GoaXpress, Lays (Al Bustan Trading), Al Shaya & Al-Sagar Co., Speedex Worldwide, Winners Restaurant, Holiday Inn, Mughal Mahal and Expressions (Goa), among others.A lot of efforts and preparation had gone into the smooth organizing of this gala fiesta and the valuable support and cooperation extended by Gaspar Almeida, KIFF president Fidelis Fernandes, Ranifa Dias e Rodrigues, Franwin Noronha, Charmaine Mendes, Zhana Vordanova, assistant marketing manager (Al Shaya & Al Sagar), Dawoud Tawfeeq, CEO, Ghazal Insurance Co. and the press coverage by Arab Times, Kuwait Times, The Times, TargetGoa.com, Goenche.com and Goa-World.com were well appreciated and highlighted.
Goa’s topmost band Alcatrazz, Kuwait’s live bands The Country Kidz, 3 Dimensions, and Styx were the main focus of the day. KGA president along with members cut the celebratory cake with the chief guest, guest of honour and other VIPs and the crowd just loved the proceedings.
Navelim Youth Centre member Norman Noronha joined with his family to celebrate his birthday. The crowd was treated to various competitions, games of skill, and Goan food. The jive dancing competition, which was hotly contested, was won by Philip and Victoria Ferrao, followed by the first runner-up Wayne and Leeam D’Souza, and Alexandro and Alfina Gomes.
Prizes in the form of electronic items and gift coupons were presented to the winners. It was a real treat to watch the youth, children, couples and even the whole families with crowns of leaves, flowers and varied fruits on their heads (known as 'copels') enjoying a lavish feast of meat and seafood at the food stalls catered by Goa Caterers/Treat, KGA and Curtorcares United.
Tome L Gracias, sales manager of Canon inaugurated the Games Stall. Back in Goa, the monsoon is a perfect foil for the Sao Joao festival as most of the people enjoy it more when it rains heavily. However, that feature was the missing element for the participants.
A presentation in the form of a live projection display on a large format screen added lustre to all those who had joined in the chorus to cheer 'Viva Sao Joao'. A game of Jaldi Five and prizes for the entry passes were won by several participants.
KGA looks forward to making this event an annual feature in the calendar of events of the Indian community. The Raffle draw was conducted by Al Muzaini Exchange representative and the lucky winner of the BlackBerry was Aldrich Almeida.
All in all the event has been the much talked about for its entertainment value with scores of Indian associations supporting it.
