Goans enjoying at the ‘Goan Summer Festival’ in Swindon on Saturday.
Photo Credits: John Soares
LONDON
After a gap of two years, the Goan community in Swindon revelled in celebrating traditions and culture at the ‘Goan Summer Festival’ on Saturday.
Thousands of Goans converged at the Swindon Athletic Track near the Swindon Football Club for the day-long festival which began with the Mass celebrated by Fr Lucas Rodrigues, Fr Mark Furtado and Fr Paul at noon.
The festival consisted of food stalls, play rides, games and a variety of music performed by Aurvile and Sylvia, who came all the way from Goa, 'The Celestials', 'Shades', 'Royal' and DJ Franky, with Goans cheering, singing and dancing to popular Goan tunes. The mood setters were Sheila, Gavin and Melrick.
“The Goan Summer Festival, organised by the Goan Swindon Association (GSA), is a family festival to celebrate our Goan culture. The main objective is to bring the Goan community together on this lovely day. We want all Goans to enjoy the spirit of our culture,” said GSA President Zico Fernandes.
Goans enjoying at the ‘Goan Summer Festival’ in Swindon on Saturday. Photo: John Soares
Robert Buckland, MP for South Swindon, was full of praise for the Goan Summer Festival.
“The Goan Summer Festival is first one we have had in Swindon since Covid and I am once again enjoying the fantastic food. The offer here is so diverse, the food, to hear the sounds, and to meet friends. To be with this incredible community makes me so proud to represent South Swindon as its MP,” said Buckland.
Several Goan families have been moving to the UK in recent years and Swindon has become the preferred choice of residence for many Goans in their adopted country.
With Swindon home to thousands of Goans, the GSA since its formation in 2001, has been representing the Goan community, celebrating Goan identity and supporting Goans based in Swindon.
Goans presenting a traditional dance at the ‘Goan Summer Festival’ in Swindon on Saturday. Photo: John Soares
The GSA has hosted a number of social and cultural activities in Swindon over the years.
“Celebrating, preserving, and providing a true ambassadorship for Goan culture forms a large part of the GSA’s work along with organising numerous social and cultural events aimed at bringing Goans together and keep the Goan culture alive,” said Zico Fernandes.
“Since 2007, GSA has been organising an annual event ‘Goan Summer Festival’, popularly known as Goa Day. It is a day-long event celebrating Goan culture, food and music. The GSA also presents the Christmas Dance and programmes for children during summer time.”
“The welfare of Goans in Swindon is at the heart of GSA and it strives to achieve this in every opportunity possible through its charitable work, collaborating with the Goan Chaplaincy and local churches, supporting local charities, and engaging with other communities.”
“The ‘Brighter Futures’ foundation, which supplies financial aid and equipment to hospitals, such as the NHS Great Western Hospital, stands as another cause close to the GSA’s heart,” added Zico.
Goans presenting a traditional dance at the ‘Goan Summer Festival’ in Swindon on Saturday. Photo: John Soares
The GSA has also played a major role in providing support in the UK and in Goa during the Covid pandemic.
“With the devastation brought on by the pandemic, the GSA sprang to do its part in Swindon. Locally, the association collected and distributed food to 300 families in need of support. Similarly, the GSA was instrumental in getting PPE kits and food packets supplied in Goa. The GSA’s fundraising efforts saw donations of £9,000 in support of humanitarian efforts abroad, during the pandemic,” informed Zico.
