FESTA DA LUSOFONIA 2008 IN MACAU, WITH GOA -DAMÃO - DIU

TUNA GOESA IN MACAU

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For Goa Damão and Diu this year's 'Festival da Lusofonia 2008' started with Tuna Goesa. As part of their Macau tour performance for the 'Festival da Lusofonia 2008', at the invitation of Núcleo de Animação Cultural de Goa Damão e Diu (NACGDD)', supported by Instituto para os Assuntos Cívicos e Municipais, Tuna Goesa made their first stage appearance in Macau on 4th November at 'Largo de Senado' . This was a promotional stage performance at the city center of Macau.
Our Goan Fadista, Sonia Shirsat did not disappoint anyone. In fact, along with Trio Orlando, she certainly impressed Macau and kept the audience and passers-by amazed. After having shown the Portuguese on the Portuguese stage in Portugal, she's left her mark and exceptional voice echoing in Macau. At the preliminary promotional show itself, with her nightingale voice and her natural style, Sonia has shown Macau that Goa possesses world class singers and musicians.

DEKHNI

Our famous 'Dekhni' sung by Sónia Shirsat and the dance by group 'Alegria' thrilled the audience.


CONVIVÍO GOA DAMÃO E DIU, AMIGOS E SIMPATIZANTES
A dinner – 'Convivio, Goa Damão e Diu, Amigos e Simpatizantes', was hosted by 'Núcleo de Animação Cultural de Goa Damão e Diu (NACGDD)' at the Ocean Club in Taipa on 5th November 2008. Apart from other food, dishes like Sarapatel de Damão, Vinho de Alho, Barrada de Camarão, Xacuti de Galinha and Bebinca was prepared. The dinner was in honour of the visiting group 'Tuna Goesa' as well as members of all the Portuguese speaking countries of Macau and friends of Goa Damão e Diu. The President José Colaço welcomed all present. Tuna Goesa with the sensational Sónia Shirsat sang a Portuguese and a Konkanni song to delight the guests. Finally, like in the traditional way all joined in singing and dancing - 'matando saudades da nossa terra'.

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TUNA GOESA AT LUSOFONIA 2008

Tuna Goesa showcased themselves and displayed Goa's talent on the 7th of November at Largo de Nossa Senhor do Carmo where they shared the stage with groups from all the Portuguese speaking countries such as Macau, Angola, Timor Leste, Moçambique, Portugal, Cabo Verde, Brazil, São Tomé e Princípe and Guiné Bissau.

Goa's dancing group Alegria lead by Messais Tavares known for organizing the Goan carnival floats also enchanted Macau with their dances – 'the Kunbi Dance', 'the Cotti Dance','the Mando' and 'the Dekhni'.

Tuna Goesa comprising of Sonia Shirsat, Orlando de Noronha, Sidarth Cota, Sancho Menezes along with Messias Tavares, Scalat Martins, Celina Xavier and Shawn Tavares enchanted the the audience as well as tourists with their music and dances.
Undoubtedly, Tuna Goesa overwhelmed the people of Macau and made the Goa Damão and Diu community in Macau proud. Cheers to Tuna Goesa! Long Live the voice of Sonia Shirsat !
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GRUPO DE DANÇAS ECANTARES DE GOA DAMÃO E DIU AT LUSOFONIA 2008

Grupo de Danças e Cantares de Goa Damão e Diu accompanied with muscians all the way from Goa, 'Trio Orlando', with their professional and talented music, performed on the Lusofonia Carmo stage with songs like Goa, Goa, Goa...., Marcha de Fontainhas and Rapsódia de Damão.
Grupo de Dances e Cantares de Goa Damão e Diu accompanied by Trio Orlando sang the Rapsodia de Damâo and the Dekhni, while Grupo Alegria danced at the Goa Damão e Diu pavilion. The VIP and visitors danced with us too.
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Grupo de Danças e cantares de Goa Damão e Diu together with Tuna Goesa went to each participating country pavilion serenading Goa Damão e Diu songs and dancing where all joined, which was widely acclaimed.
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The Goa Damão pavilion was vibrating with singing , dancing and food galore
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A GLIMPSE OF ALL THE PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES PAVILION
Here is a glimpse of the pavilion of all the participating countries of the Portuguese speaking world at the Lusofonia 2008. View Photos


GOA, DAMAO E DIU WINNERS OF LUSOFONIA 2008
Goa Damão e Diu community in Macau under “Núcleo de Animação Cultural de Goa Damão e Diu (NACGDD)” is proud to announce that once again this year we have shown our supremacy in the midst of giant countries like Macau, Angola, Timor Leste, Moçambique, Portugal, Cabo Verde, Brazil, São Tomé e Princípe and Guiné Bissau.
A dinner was offered to all participating countries and dignitaries by the organizers of the Festival da Lusofonia on 12th November 2008, at the Macau Tower. Goa Damão e Diu pavilion was declared as the winner for the best performing country in the production of its replica, 'Farol de Forte Aguada', under the theme 'Memoria de Uma Cultura'; its interior display with different attires, spices, arts and crafts; cultural programme at the pavillion as well as the serenading at other participating pavilions; and the sumptuous Goa Damão e Diu delicacies.
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EXTENSIVE COVERAGE FROM LOCAL MEDIA
Local media gave extensive coverage of the Lusofonia 2008, where among others, Tuna Goesa with Sonia Shirsat and Grupo Alegria as well as the Goa Damão e Diu pavilion was on the tabloid.
News clip 1, News clip 2, News clip 3, View other clips

NACGDD HONOURS ST. ANA ALFONSO DE IMMACULADA CONCEIÇÃO
The Goa Damão e Diu community offered a mass in honour of Saint Ana Alfonsa de Immaculada Conceição, the Indian Saint who was canonized on 12th October 2008 at the Vatican by Pope Benedict XVI and also to pray for the persecution of the Catholics in India. View Video

VIVA GOA, VIVA DAMÃO, VIVA DIU

GOA DAMÃO & DIU in Festival da Lusofonia 2008

Núcleo de Animação Cultural de Goa, Damão e Diu, (NACGDD), representing Goa Damão and Diu will participate in the traditional Festa da Lusofonia, organized by Instituto para os Assuntos Cívicos e Municipais (IACM), as over the years. However this year with a greater participation from all Portuguese speaking countries including China, with a full week celebration, upgraded to “Festival da Lusofonia 2008”-Semana Cultural da China e dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (Cultural Week of China and Portuguese Speaking Countries), which will be held between 3rd and 9th November 2008, in Macau.

For the first time since the past 11 years of our participation in this popular Festa da Lusofonia, “Tuna Goesa”, lead by Goan musician of repute Orlando de Noronha, to the voice of Goa’s sensational singer Sonia Shirsat, well known for their enchanting music, not only in Goa but also on the international stage, will be performing in Macau for the first time at the “Festival da Lusofonia 2008”.

As part of the week long festival, “Tuna Goesa” will perform at Largo de Senado, side by side with Maria de Barros (Cabo Verde) and Grupo de Danças Tradicional Lo’o (Timor –Leste), between 19:30 and 21:30hrs on 4th November 2008.

A dinner will be hosted on 5th November at 7:30pm at the Ocean Club, in honour of our musical guest “Tuna Goesa” together with our community as well as members of the Portuguese speaking countries and friends of Goa, Damão and Diu in Macau.

The highlight of the Macau tour of “Tuna Goesa” will be at the Amphitheater of Taipa Houses-Museum, on 7th November 2008, between 20:30 and 24:00hrs, sharing the stage with Grupo de Danças Tradicional Lo’o (Timor –Leste) and O2 (Angola). As in the past 10 years the Grupo de Danças e Cantares de Goa Damão e Diu in Macau, this year by special request, will also give a short performance on 9th November, this year accompanied by “Trio Orlando”.

Our Goa, Damão and Diu pavilion will display its yearly prize winning real size replicas and this time its the magnificent Portuguese heritage the Fort Aguada Lighthouse, with the theme being "Memória de uma Cultura"-Memory of a Culture.

PRESENTATION OF THE ASSOCIATION TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF RAEM (Região Administrativo especial de Macau) Dr. EDMUNDO HO HAU WAH

Representative of the Núcleo de Animação Cultural de Goa Damão e Diu (nacgdd), was received by H. E. Dr. Edmundo Ho Hou Wah at his office, the former Palácio do Governador, in the erstwhile Portuguese regime, who warmly welcomed Dr. Rui Cunha, Dr Salvador Figueiredo, José Colaço, Óscar Menezes and Oscar Noruega on 12th of January 2007. (Members of NACGDD with Dr. Ho)

Dr. Ho who has officiated as the Chief Guest for many of the occasions and events where he has testified our arts, culture and cuisine did not require much introduction of our culture.

He was pleased with the formation of Núcleo de Animação Cultural de Goa Damão e Diu -NACGDD, and pledged his support and extended his good wishes to NACGDD. He wished the community of Goa Damão and Diu a prosperous life and a fruitful career in serving Macau.

He reminded us of the delicious samosas and bebinca which he very much enjoys when it is served to him at many of our events.

Similar visits were also made to the president of IPOR «Institute Portuguese do Orient».

INSTALLATION OF THE 1ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE

The first ever General Assembly Committee was put to vote on 28th of December 2006, where the one and only list was tabled, voted and approved. The approved General Assembly Committee will govern for a period of two years.

Members of the General Assembly.

General Assembly

President : Dr. Rui Cunha
Board member : Dr. Cândido Azevedo
Board member : Hélio Oliveira


Audit Council

President : Dr. Salvador Figueiredo
Board member : Óscar Menezes
Board member : Rui Minguel Leão


Governing Board

President : José Colaço
Secretary : Athos Fernandes
Treasurer : Óscar Noruega
Board member : Estevam Gomes
Board member : Emalita Rocha

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NÚCLEO DE ANIMAÇÃO CULTURAL DE GOA DAMÃO E DIU - NACGDD

Núcleo de Animação Cultural de Goa Damão e Diu -NACGDD, was officially published in the Macau gazette, Boletim Official de Macau no.51, Serie II, dated 21.12.2006, whereby the Grupo de Dancas e Cantares de Goa Damao e Diu, forms an integral part.

REGISTRATION OF NÚCLEO DE ANIMAÇÃO CULTURAL DE GOA DAMÃO E DIU - NACGDD

After decades of Indo-Portuguese existence in Macau through the efforts of the community of Goa, Damão and Diu, the much desired association of the Indo-Portuguese community residing in Macau was officially registered at a government notary on the 11th. of December 2006, in the name of ‘Núcleo de Animação Cultural de Goa Damão e Diu -NACGDD.

With a glass of wine and bebinca, all present toasted to commemorate the birth of NACGDD and obviously for its success and longevity.

For years, the small but vibrant Macau’s Indo-Portuguese community has been promoting and divulging the art and culture of our beautiful and rich land in Macau.

GOA, DAMÃO AND DIU COMMUNITY IN MACAU

The small but dynamic community of Goa Damão and Diu in Macau, has very much made their presence felt here in Macau, a Chinese dominated, multicultural territory with people not only from the Portuguese speaking countries but also from other walks of life.

The art, culture and gastronomy of Goa, Damão and Diu are well known and very much appreciated in Macau. For years through the ‘Grupo de Danças e Cantares de Goa Damão e Diu’, the folk songs and dances like, Aum Saibá Poltodi Vétam, Barra de Damão, O` Divan de Mogará and others have been virtually instilled in the hearts of the Portuguese, Chinese and other communities. The people of Macau are so familiar with the historical and religious monuments through the construction of replicas of the Arco de Vis Rei in Goa, Fortaleza de São Jerónimo in Damão, Fortim do Mar in Diu and other monuments. They have also captured the taste of our Sarapatel, Samosas, Bebinca, Aranha do Céu, Bolinhas de Coco and many more.

With its mark strongly inlaid in Macau, the cultural and diplomatic event-organizers of Macau specifically those linked to the Portuguese culture, can’t simply exclude our participation. The Grupo de Danças e Cantares de Goa Damão e Diu, has been promoting and livening the occasions such as “Dia das Camões.. das Cumunidades e de Portugalidade” or 10 de Junho, Dia de Cidade de Macau, which is on the 24th of June which coincides with the Feast of São João, and until the erst-while Portuguese rule was a holiday - unfortunately not any more. This popular ‘Festa do São João’ has been revived after being suspended for a couple of years. ‘Grupo de Danças e Cantares de Goa Damão e Diu’, has always been invited to perform on this day where we do not hesitate to show that we too celebrate São João by singing São João, São João. São João..dai nos…, Rio Sandalcalo etc. Even papdi and Gunn, a locally available fruit seasoned in vinegar and water - (the Damão aceitonas).

The most significant of all is our involvement in the ‘Festa de Lusofonia’, (Lusofonia-portuguese speaking countries) organized by the Institute de Assuntos Cívicos de Macau, (formerly Leal Senado de Macau) and the Macau Government Tourism Office. This yearly event was started in 1998 and has become an important event to the local government as a tourist attraction. Participating countries such as Macau, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Brazil, Sao Tome e Principe, Cabo Verde, Brazil, Timor, and Goa, Damão e Diu promote their art, culture and food.

Not to boast, Goa Damão e Diu has been prominent with its magnificent exhibits and our pavilion has won either 1st, 2nd or 3rd prizes, practically every year. With its life size replicas of monuments which have been interior decorated with, traditional clothing, arts and crafts, caju fenni, posters, Indian condiments, not sparing the grinding stone (rogdo in Konkanni and pedra de moeira tempeira in Damão-Diu portuguese), clay water pot (gurgulo in Konkanni and calão in Damão-Diu Portuguese), coconut grater (gantonem/…… in Konkanni and ralador de coco-in Damão and Diu Portuguese), All these brought all the way from Goa, Damão or Diu. Thanks to the talents of some of our community members - visitors, tourists and organizers are overwhelmed. Participating countries never doubt that we should be awarded a prize for the most original and artistic pavilion where our effort, time, dedication, craftsmanship and above all the originality is portrayed year on year.

The Grupo de Danças e Cantares de Goa, Damão e Diu with its local talent, but of high quality have been commended for our traditional songs, dances and costumes. Even the locals and notably the Portuguese kids who are part of the group can sing: Aum saibá poltodi vétam, Damulea lognacú vétam, maka saibá vattu dacoi maka saibá vattu collonam....,

Barra de Damão......

Our delicious sarapatel, xacuti, espetada, samosas, bhajias, bhaji de batata, apas (chapatti) bebinca, bolos, aranhas do ceu etc, have brought mouth-watering locals and tourists returning to our pavilion for more.

On the religious aspect, the local community of Macau has realized how devoted the Catholics of Goa-Damão and Diu are. For years, the 3rd of December is celebrated, remembering our patron saint, Saint Francis Xavier. An Eucharistic celebration in Konkanni/Portuguese/English, with the culminating hymn…..Sáo Francisco Xavierá…. Tuji kuddi Goem xará……… to the Patron Saint of Goa, is attended by the community of Goa, Damão e Diu as well as the local devotees of St. Francis Xavier.

And with candles in their hands, the same way the Damaneses do it on the steps of Câmara Municipal de Damão, the local Damão community here has been celebrating the ‘Festa de Nossa Senhora das Candeias’ on the 2nd of February for the past 14 years.
And undoubtedly a spread of traditional food, singing and dancing goes with it. All this is savoured by our local invitees. To be frank, people from our community long for our traditional, zesty and mouth-watering spread too.

The Rosary with a Litany and the Way of the Cross are also held by our community where the locals also join in.

Through all this, for years, the Goa-Damão-Diu community of the past and the present has strongly made its presence felt in Macau.