It’s carnaval time in Goa!
Goa’s popular carnival or carnaval takes place in Panaji on February 22. The carnival parade will be flagged off at 4pm. Speaking to media people last week Panaji mayor Uday Madkaikar made it clear that floats depicting anything to do with political protests won’t be entertained, so those submitting float entries please make a note of this. Carnival themes usually depict stories of Goa’s social and cultural life as it comes alive in singing, dancing, costume extravagances, landscapes, working life of the people and so on. Float entries will be accepted till 1pm but they would be screened by the Carnival Committee. This year the fee for spot registrations has been increased steeply to 5,000 and registration forms will cost1,000.
FESTIVALS
Aqua Goa Mega Fish Festival: Want to eat seafood hot foot it out to this increasingly becoming popular mega festival showcasing Goa’s annual affair with intriguing fishy tales. The festival celebrates Goa’s rich fishing tradition and culture. Talks, demonstrations, competitions, dancing, felicitations and an extravagant food court featuring seafood are all part of the extravaganza, check it out. Spot prizes for audience is a special highlight! Venue: SAG Campal Grounds, next to Panjim Gymkhana, Panaji. Date: Sat/Feb15, last day. Time: ]\Day long.
4th Mandolin Festival of India: This is organized by the Mandolin Lovers’ Club and features a workshop by Carlo Aonzo and Pradipto Sengupta. Venue: Sanskriti Bhavan, patto, Panaji. Date: Feb24&25. Details: 9822658178/9820037303/9890019802
The Goa Open Arts Festival: The subject is Goa with over 75 artists, sculptors, musicians, photographers, designers, writers, chefs who have go together to showcase their artwork on an alternate inclusive platform. Former Photojournalist Prashant Panjiar is on the organizing committee as also Gopika Chowfla, Viraj Naik and others who seek collective visibility as a community. Venue: Don Joao Lawns & Heritage House, Nagoa. Date: Ongoing up to Sunday, Feb13 to 16. Time: Day long
CONFERENCES
`State of the Law’ : ICG’s Difficult Dialogues series is in its fifth edition this year and focuses on the subject of law in its nitty gritty this time around. The conference was founded by philanthropist Surina Narula to offer a platform for the finest minds to get together to speak up, share thoughts and opinions, to bridge the growing gap between policy makers and civil society. Some of the speakers listed are Pinky Anand (additional solicitor general of India and politician), Raj Kumar (vice chancellor of OP Jindal Global University; Linda Mulcahy, Vrinda Grover, Justice Sujata ManoharShyam Divan, Judge Thomas Mueller, Barrister Venkatgesh Iyer, Arif Mohammed Khan, Ghazala Jamil and others. Venue: International Centre Goa, Dona Paula, Panaji. Date: Sat/Sun/Feb 15-16, Time: Check schedule at www.difficultdialogues.in
ART
Life in troubled waters: A photography exhibition by Selvaprakash Lakshmanan, includes a photography and photoshop workshop alongside by the artist and Rajkishor Chauhan. Venue: Reis Magos Fort, Verem. Date: Ongoing till Sunday/Feb16. Time: Regular hours
LEARN GERMAN
German Language Course: The Indo-German Educational & Cultural Society Goa is conducting regular German language classes, intensive weekend courses as also private tuitions leading to the international Goethe Certificate examination in levels A1, A2, B1, B1+/B2.1 for adults, and Fit 1 and 2 for young adults (below the age of 15 years). The course structure, study material, evaluation/examination follow guidelines of Goethe Institute/Max Mueller Bhavan under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Venue: Garden Central Music Studio, Panaji. Date: From March onwards. Details: and registration at igecsg.language@gmail.com
MARKETS
The New Earth Gathering: This healthy, holistic, vegan community market is featuring a good karma garage sale for a good cause. Market offers a range for organic groceries and vegetable, vegan food, biodegradable and non-toxic products. Worth checking out. Venue: Saraya, Sangolda. Next to Freedom Tree. Date: Sunday/Feb23. Time: 11am to 7pm
