Exposition of Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier, 2024 (Decennial)
The decennial exposition of the sacred relics of Saint Francis Xavier, popularly known as Gõycho Saib, will commence on November 21, 2024, and end on January 5, 2025.
The decree states: “In conformity with a long-standing practice followed in this Archdiocese of holding Solemn Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier every 10 years, we determine that the Solemn Exposition be held in 2024, beginning on Thursday, 21 November 2024, and ending on Sunday, 5 January 2025.”
The archbishop issued a special decree to announce the spiritual event which draws lakhs of people from across the world. In its endeavour to bolster the renewal of Christian life, the Church in Goa is looking to the exposition to be the culmination of a spiritual journey of renewal and hope, to be undertaken by every individual, every family, every parish and the entire Church in Goa and Daman.
G20 Summit, 2023
“India’s G20 Presidency will work to promote this universal sense of one-ness. Hence our theme – ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future” – Prime Minister, Narendra Modi
The India’s G20 Presidency would guide the work of the G20 under the theme of – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth · One Family · One Future” – drawn from the Sanskrit phrase of the Maha Upanishad , which means “The World Is One Family”.
The G20 group of 19 countries and the EU was established in 1999 as a platform for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss international economic and financial issues. Together, the G20 countries account for almost two-thirds of the global population, 75% of global trade, and 85% of the world’s GDP.
This summit will conclude a series of meetings throughout the year, with potential host cities for meetings (Host cities are tentative and are subject to change) including Srinagar, Amritsar, Chandigarh,Rishikesh, New Delhi, Gurugram, Lucknow, Varanasi,Siliguri, Guwahati, Jaipur,Jodhpur, Khajuraho,Udaipur, Indore, Rann of Kutch,Gandhinagar,Kevadia,Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Hampi, Goa,Bengaluru, Chennai, Mahabalipuram Kochi, Kumarakom, Thiruvananthapuram.
Visit the website @ g20.org
International Film Festival of India, 2023 (Annual)
The Festival aims at providing a common platform for filmmakers of the world to project their excellence in film art; contributing to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos; and promoting friendship and co-operation among people of the world.
Since 1952, India has hosted 53 International Film Festival of India (IFFI) both competitive and non-competitive. The festival became an annual event from 1975 onwards. The 54th edition of the festival, which includes a competition for feature films by Directors from all Continents will be held in Goa.
Goa Carnival, 2023 (Annual)
The beginnings of the annual Goa Carnival date back to the 18th century, at the time of Portuguese rule. Then known as ‘Entrudo’, the festival takes place at the beginning of the period of abstinence and fasting (or ‘Lent’)—in February/March—that precedes Easter, and usually goes on for four days. The festivities surrounding the Carnival take place amidst great pomp and show. The streets are enlivened by troupes of dancers, bands of musicians and performers, sports events, and revellers dressed in colourful finery and elaborate masks, with those partaking also indulging in food, drink and merriment. Traditionally, the Carnival was seen as a way to protest against the Portuguese stronghold; today, however, it has evolved into a festival that sees people from all walks of life, across castes and communities, taking part with zeal.
Goa Sunburn Festival, 2023 (Annual)
Among the many new-age music festivals held across Goa each year, the Sunburn Festival held every December in Vagator is perhaps the most popular. An Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival, it was started in 2007 and at one point was the third-largest dance festival in the world. Spanning three days and attracting music lovers from across the world, it boasts of impressive local and international headlining acts. Over the years, it has almost turned into an aspirational experience for music lovers.
Visit the website @ sunburn.in
International Lusophone Festival, 2022
The Community of Portuguese Language Countries (Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa) also known as the Lusophone Commonwealth (Comunidade Lusofona), is a multilateral forum, founded on 17 July 1996.
The founding members were Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and Sao Tome and Principe; while Timor Leste and Equatorial Guinea joined later. These 9 Lusophone countries comprise approximately 300 million people in 4 different continents (Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe). India joined CPLP as an associate observer in July 2021. As part of India’s engagement with CPLP, the Ministry of External Affairs celebrated the World Portuguese Language Day in Delhi on 05 May 2022, soon after joining CPLP. This festival is also part of our efforts to further this engagement.
As part of the festival, workshops on Lusophone music for artists and volunteers, as various workshops and exhibitions of unique Goan architecture, Goan handicrafts and Goan furniture were organised.
Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s Visit, 2020
The Portuguese president arrived on a two-day visit to Goa on Saturday after which he chaired a function where several memorandum of understanding (MoU) were signed between Goa and Portugal in sectors like education, ship-building, water and sewage management.
The Portuguese president also addressed a seminar on “Urban Designs” in Panaji on Saturday before attending a dinner hosted by Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik.
The Primary reason for his visit was to sign a contract between the Portuguese government body and the Goa PWD. The contract is to transfer Portugal’s expertise in water and sewerage management systems and technologies to Goa. While the contract was signed at a private hotel in Dona Paula on February 15, Sousa visited the churches in Old Goa on February 16.
BRICS Summit, 2016
BRICS brings together five major emerging economies that comprise 43% of the world population, 30% of world GDP and 17% of world trade: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
The summit was held from 15 to 16 October 2016 at the Taj Exotica hotel in Benaulim, Goa, India. The theme of India’s BRICS Chairmanship was ‘Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions.’
During India’s Chairmanship, Members planned to adopt a five-pronged approach: institution building to further deepen, sustain and institutionalise BRICS cooperation; implementation of the decisions from previous Summits; integrating the existing cooperation mechanisms; innovation, i.e., new cooperation mechanisms; and continuity, i.e., continuation of mutually agreed existing BRICS cooperation mechanisms.
CHOGM Summit, 1983
The CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) was hosted by India in 1983 and was held in New Delhi, India, between 23 and 29 November 1983, and was hosted by that country’s Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. The retreat was held in Goa.
Goa benefited handsomely from the event. It received good coverage from visiting media reporters. It was no surprise then that chartered tourists soon began flocking here. The potential for tourism received a major boost as the Commonwealth Delegates visited various sites in Goa.