Four floats take part, thousands witness event at Hounslow
THE GOAN NETWORK | LONDON
It was fun and frolic on an unprecedented scale as thousands of Goans witnessed for the first time a Goan Carnival on a High Street in London on February 18.
The ‘Viva Carnival 2023’ float parade was led by King Momo (Arcanjo Francisco Rosario Afonso) and his Queen (Yvonne Fernandes Afonso), a couple hailing from Aldona, in an open car as the parade began at 3 pm from McDonald's, High Street and culminated at Goa Mandovi, Market Place Basement in Hounslow. The Carnival parade took about an hour from one end to the other at Hounslow High Street.
Dozens of Goans took part in the four floats, comprising 'Honrad Bhenddekar of St Estevam' presented by 'Zuemkars in UK', ‘Adlim Kunnbi Xetkara’ by Alvito Dias, ‘Goan Traditional Dancers’ by Ciana D’Costa and the ‘FC Goa float’ by Utt Goenkara. Prizes were presented to all four floats participating in the parade.
After the parade at the Hounslow High Street, the Carnival celebrations shifted to the Goa Mandovi Marketplace. There was a fancy dress event and two Khel Tiatrs (a traditional Goan way to celebrate Carnival). While the Khel Tiatr 'Rinn Kaddun' was written and directed by Menino Mario, the Khel Tiatr 'Chint Ostore' was written by Bobet De Quepem and directed by Jr Nelson.
In addition, there were performances by Risma Leitao, daughter of the legendary ChrisMeena (Christopher & Meena), one-man band Polly de Curtorim and a band ‘Coastline’. The ‘Viva Carnival 2023’ celebrations ended at 11 pm.
The Carnival was organised by Simon Rodrigues, CEO/Director of the entertainment organisation Amigos Nite Ltd, with the active support of Malcolm Silveira, Wernick Santimano and Mario Da Costa.
Traditionally, Goan Carnival events have been celebrated at private venues or community grounds and carnivals on streets in London have only been celebrated by Brazil and Portugal. This is the first time that a Goan Carnival was celebrated on a High Street in London.
‘Goa Carnival to be staged annually in Hounslow’
Simon Rodrigues, main organiser of the Carnival and CEO/Director of the entertainment organisation Amigos Nite Ltd, said an estimated 5,000 people were at the High Street to support and cheer the Goan Carnival parade.
“The theme of the Goa Carnival was ‘Promoting Goan Culture’. Members of all four floats walked, danced and paraded along the route and only King Momo and his Queen travelled in an open car.”
“We had good support from the Hounslow Council and the local police, and we wish to express our gratitude to them.
“The ‘Viva Carnival 2023’ float parade was organised on a High Street for the first time in London to showcase our Goan culture to the people in the UK. The event was powered by the restaurant ‘Maka Tik Naka’, ‘Goa Mandovi’ and ‘Red Hot Chilly Pepper & London Bar Stock Exchange’. The event is supported by Utt Goenkara UK Voluntary Association,” said Rodrigues.
Asked if he planned to stage the Goa Carnival every year, Rodrigues replied in the affirmative: “Yes, our aim is to have it every year.”
‘Great opportunity to showcase St Estevam across UK, globe’
Simon Varella, who hails from St Estevam and a leader of the 'Zuemkars in UK', said it was a great opportunity for villagers of St Estevam to showcase their talents and represent their village by presenting the 'Honrad Bhenddekar of St Estevam' float at the carnival float parade in London.
“When the organisers requested me to put up a float from St Estevam, I spoke to our team members and they immediately agreed to the request. We have some great talent here in UK and our team was very keen to take part in the carnival floats and so we worked on the concept of 'Honrad Bhenddekars of St Estevam',” said Simon Varella.
“We had the highest number of 17 participants, including children, among all the floats. We showed the UK and the world that our village is famous for Ladyfingers. We also included the Goan Kunbi dance and our participants danced to our famous song 'Honrad Ami Zuemkar' which originated in our village.”
“Neclina Varela, Steve Varela and Meldon Ferrao were assigned the responsibility of the float. The Kunbi costumes were specially brought from Goa,” he added.
‘Awesome feeling to be Queen’
King Momo Arcanjo Francisco Rosario Afonso and his Queen Yvonne Fernandes Afonso, a couple hailing from Aldona, said it was an awesome feeling to have led the ‘Viva Carnival 2023’ float parade at Hounslow.
“It was a great pleasure for us to be the King Momo and Queen at the Goan Carnival in London. It was awesome. It was the first time that the floats were put up by Simon Rodrigues. And we were chosen as king and queen. A big thank you to Simon for organising it very well. Three cheers to Simon for bringing Goan tradition to London. It was so amazing. We feel so good and thrilled,” said Yvonne.
“I was in Southall the Broadway on Tuesday and on the way, there were 14 Goan boys who referred to me as ‘Queen’ and I was overwhelmed. A little further, four ladies said, “Hi Queen”. One guy even wanted to know where the King was and I replied: “He is in the Palace”.”
They all gave me positive comments. I was very excited when they all said that I was beautiful,” she added.
