The popular Sao Joao festival was celebrated with traditional fervour by the Goan diaspora in different parts of the world. The Global Goenkar presents a number of Sao Joao celebrations in London, California, Paris, Adelaide, Melbourne and Delhi
LONDON
LUI GODINHO | LONDON
Goans in and around London kept alive the traditional Sao Joao festivities by taking part in different events at Cranford-Hounslow, Wembley, Southall and Watford on June 24.
CRANFORD
Goans celebrate at the Sao Joao Splash Rain Dance 2023 at Cranford-Hounslow on June 24.
Photo: McVean
Over 1,200 people were treated to music, food and festivities at the Sao Joao Splash Rain Dance 2023 at the Cranford Community College premises in Hounslow on June 24.
Music at the event was provided by the live band ‘Shades’, international DJ Skeletron, DJ Prilton, DJ Jonathan, DJ Flacid, DJ Manuel, DJ Kingsly and singer Quincy. MC Delsy was the compere at the event.
Goan food, games for kids and a rain dance were also on offer at the Splash Rain Dance.
The event was organised by Somesh of Impact Events Goa UK and Savito, Sazbert and Sezey from Brown Cocks.
WEMBLEY
Goans at the Sao Joao Bash organised by the United Goans of Wembley on June 24.
The United Goans of Wembley presented the first-ever Sao Joao Bash 2023 at the Sodbury Primary School Hall, Watford Road, Wembley, on June 24 from 8 pm onwards.
The event began with the traditional march by everyone wearing their own traditional headgear or ‘kopel’. Music was provided by the band Blue Haze UK, DJ Johnson and DJ Rohan. The event was hosted by MC Swiston and RJ Roque.
The event included a Kopel competition, a coconut breaking contest, authentic Goan food, housie and other attractions.
Two of the organisers, Kelly Gracias and Steve Fernandes, thanked all those who made a point to celebrate Sao Joao event in Wembley and made it a success.
They said the crowd participated in the activities and rocked the floor to some beautiful music played by the DJs and band.
SOUTHALL
The Goan Community Association Ealing (GCAE) Southall core committee members along with the Reunion Band and Emcee Melrick Fernandes.
The Goan Association of Southall had organised their annual Sao Joao get-together in the Church Hall at St Anselm's Church, Southall.
This get-together was organised in aid of building a new church community hall. Although there were several parties happening simultaneously in the area, this party was well received as the community came together to support the local parish.
The band ‘Reunion’ was in attendance and kept the crowd on the dance floor with reggae, classics and Goan mandos. Emcee Melrick John Fernandes added to the vibe with a mix of dancing, stand-up comedy and interaction.
There was an auction for the Sao Joao hamper, which went to the highest bidder Jojo and all the proceeds of this was donated to the Summer Camp held by the youth group in July.
The Goan Association of Southall annually hosts three events, which the Goan Community Association Ealing (GCAE) Southall contributes to the aid of St Anselm's Church, which can be used for the building work or the youth group. The GCAE core committee works hard to organise events and raise funds since it is for a good cause and it brings the community together.
WATFORD
A group of Goans get together and celebrate Sao Joao at the Watford Park on June 24.
A group of Goans got together and celebrated Sao Joao at the Watford Park on June 24. Goans of different ages wore traditional Kopels and played traditional music.
According to a Goan present at the event, one of the aims of celebrating Sao Joao was to showcase the Goan tradition to the children, with the hope that they would continue this tradition in the years to come. The adults and children also took a dip in the pond at the Watford Park.
CALIFORNIA
THE GOAN NETWORK | CALIFORNIA
CalifornianGoans celebrated the feast of Saint John the Baptist (São João) with games, Goan cuisine and traditional festivities at Rengstorff Park, Mountain View, California, on June 19.
Joseph Lourenco, President of CalifornianGoans, said his team was thrilled to see an unusually extra-large number of attendees who were given a true taste of a Goan São João by kicking off the day with a São João song, followed by a Kopel competition.”
“There wasn't a dull moment as we had stall games, group games, soccer finals and penalty shoot-outs. Lunchtime was a treat for all as everyone got to enjoy an amazing spread of authentic Goan cuisine, thanks to our Goan cooking competition. Afternoon meant time to enjoy some sweet ginger tea with Sheera for the adults and some shaved ice (Gola) for the kids.”
“Keeping a tradition like the Goan São João alive allows us to maintain cultural identity, stay connected with us roots, foster a sense of belonging and pride and ensures that such traditions are passed down to our future generations. Viva São João!” he added.
MELBOURNE
FRANKEY FERNANDES
THE GOAN NETWORK | MELBOURNE
The Goan Overseas Association of Victoria (GOAV) organised the annual Sao Joao here in Melbourne on June 24 with loads of fun, music, and games.
Guests were treated to Goan food which included Sorpotel and Chicken Xacuti and Goan snacks, including sausage bread courtesy Dorellis Goan Portuguese sausages and spices.
Music was provided by Josefato Vales, who was accompanied by Leroy Martin Do Rosario Noronha on Violin and Trumpet and husband and wife duo of Venessa Afonso and Arnaldo Afonso.
The guests were treated to the traditional jumping in the artificially designed well which was crafted by Venessa and Arnaldo Afonso. The highlight included the Sao Joao artwork courtesy Billytoon who is based in Dubai.
The best traditional Kopel prize in the women's category was won by Olivia Pereira and in the men’s category Andrew Mendes bagged the first prize. Two others, Claudia Sequeira and Liza Dias, also won door prizes. Traditional games were conducted by Filipe Dias, Floyd Cardoso and Bibian Lobo.
Ex-President of the Goan Association in New Zealand Calisto Vaz, his wife Lucy Vaz and their children graced the occasion. The event was hosted by Titus Fernandes. The event was sponsored by Dr Aires and Sophia Mascarenhas.
ADELAIDE
FRANKEY FERNANDES
THE GOAN NETWORK | MELBOURNE
The Goan community in Adelaide celebrated Sao Joao with traditional fervour at the St Francis D’Assisi hall, Newton, from 6.30 pm to 11.30 pm on June 24.
Over 220 comprising people from different cultural backgrounds and nationalities were present and it was a pleasant surprise to have Goans outnumbered for the first time.
The programme started with the traditional march and Sao Joao theme song and prizes for the best kopel was adjudged by the judges.
Peter and his live band entertained the crowd with old Konkani songs and Mandos before people took a break for dinner.
Agnelo Fernandes welcomed the gathering and explained how the organisers worked together to organise the programme with only sponsors and the entire entry amount was donated.
The dinner buffet had a mix of Goans dishes like Pork Vindaloo, Chicken Xacuti and Indian vegetable dishes and desserts like Gulab Jamun and Mango Kulfi to choose from.
All the meals were home-cooked by organisers families and served as well.
The programme was a fundraiser for the Kangaroo Island Parish, which is part of the Cathedral Parish.
The total entry amount and part of the cash collected from bingo/raffle/auction after deducting the hall and meal expenses, which amounted to about $6,000 was raised for the Kangaroo Island Parish of Perpetual Help.
The programme ended with the Konkani masala and a mix of old hits played by Peter and the band.
The Cathedral administrator, Fr Anthoni Adimai, thanked the people for their support in raising the funds and attending the programme.
PARIS
THE GOAN NETWORK | PARIS
The Goan Association in Paris celebrated its annual Sao Joao feast at 39 Rue Notre Dame Des - Champs Paris on June 25.
The festivity began with the Konkani Eucharistic celebration held at the Church Notre Dame Des-Champs, which was celebrated by Fr Kelwin Monteiro SJ and attended by about 150 Goans.
After the Mass, the congregation assembled for a cultural programme in a hall on the same campus. The cultural programme began with a march pass led by the newly-wedded couples and their parents carrying the Goan traditional "Ojem" comprising "Ponas," different fruits, "Doce, Batkh” and different cakes.
The DJ entertained the audience with traditional Goan music and the Goans assembled there and danced to the music. The climax of the social programme was a festive lunch with Goan traditional dishes and Goan sweets as dessert. The dishes and sweets were prepared by the Goan community in Paris.
After lunch, a game of housie was conducted and surprise prizes were also handed over. The event continued with the evening tea.
“The response and participation in the entire Sao Joao celebration was amazing,” said Camilo Cardozo, president of the Goan Association in Paris.
THE GOAN NETWORK | DELHI
The Goan Sports & Cultural Club Delhi, an organisation established in 1954 to promote football and Goan culture, celebrated Sao Joao in the traditional Goan spirit on June 25.
The clubhouse was decorated with colourful flowers and pennants, while a colourful boat was placed in front of the backdrop to complete the full Goan feel. Despite the incessant rain of the early monsoon, there was a full house and the rains added to the festive atmosphere.
The celebration started with Holy Mass in English which ended with the popular Konkani hymn “Pao Maie”.
Following the Goan tradition of offering fruits (dali), five newly wedded couples sponsored the fruits which were served along with the “Festache Chone” and other snacks for breakfast.
Warmly welcoming all members and guests, the Goan Sports & Cultural Club President Alex Fernandes said: “It is indeed a great pleasure to see so many people turn out for the event. Our club’s efforts at keeping Goan culture alive so far away from home were not in vain.”
“We are grateful that we have succeeded in rekindling the love for Goa in the hearts of the people of Delhi and giving them an opportunity to experience the nostalgia of their native place.”
Fernandes also thanked his dedicated team who worked tirelessly to organise the event.
Keeping with the theme of Sao Joao, games were conducted by the two comperes, Ezekiel Fernandes (Vice-President) and Deanne Fernandes (Executive Member). They kept the participants on their toes throughout the day with water games, which everyone joined with great enthusiasm.
Competitions were held, and prizes were awarded for the best Kopel and the best-dressed gent and lady. The judges had a tough time as people sported several colourful Kopels and attire.
Since no one minded getting wet there was a surprise prize for the wettest person as well for which there were many contenders. Some of the youngsters showcased their talents by performing songs and true to being Delhiites there was even a medley of Bollywood songs, in which the whole crowd joined in.
People clicked group and individual pictures in the photo-booth to carry back some memories of the event. After a sumptuous lunch which also included the Goan delicacy “pork vindaloo” there were games of tambola which everyone enjoyed immensely.
The day ended with each one carrying back a little bit of Goa in their hearts and eager to return soon to celebrate more festivals with the extended Goan family of Delhi.
“The Goan Sports & Cultural Club Delhi is committed to organise similar events to keep the spirit and love for Goa alive in the hearts of our Delhi Goans,” said Fernandes.
