The GOA VILLAGE @Sunburn was inaugurated by Shri. Rohan Khaunte, Hon. Minister for Tourism, Goa on December 27, 2022, and officially thrown open to a global audience attending the Sunburn Goa Festival at Vagator, Goa. The Inauguration Ceremony was attended by over 10,000 foreign and domestic tourists, artists and the native Goan populace who have descended in droves from every corner of the world and India to attend the 3 day mega Sunburn Festival scheduled from December 28 – 30, 2022.
The Inauguration Ceremony of the ‘GOA VILLAGE’ @ Sunburn saw Shri. Rohan Khaunte, Hon. Minister for Tourism, Goa cut the ribbon to throw open the GOA VILLAGE to the world audience. The ‘Oradh Goemkar Serenaders’, a talented group of Global Goan Musicians, welcomed the Minister and guests, their melodic rendition serving as a fitting tribute to the Opening Ceremony of this unique Goa Village.
The Hon. Minister for Tourism, Goa, highlighted the importance of showcasing and promoting the diverse Goan culture on a global platform like Sunburn. Shri. Rohan Khaunte, Hon. Minister for Tourism, Goa, said, “For the first time in over 16 years, Sunburn has created a ‘Goa Village’ at the Festival event in Vagator. This ‘Goan Village’ was a long standing dream of the Government to present the vast and vibrant heritage, art and culture of Goa to a global audience. Goa has a vast repertoire of local talent who need the right exposure, and the right dedicated stage will create that opportunity alongside celebrated global artists.”
The ‘GOA VILLAGE’ @ Sunburn was thrown open to the public after the Inauguration Ceremony. Shri. Rohan Khaunte walked around the village and interacted with many artists displaying their crafts, wares, cuisines and talents at the venue. The GOA VILLAGE adroitly captured the vibrant Heritage, Art, Culture, Legends, Cuisine and Lifestyle of Goa from both locally established and upcoming Talents.
Giving a boost to the versatile range of Music Talent from Goa, the inaugural day saw many talented local Goan DJ’s and Bands grace the stage including DJ TESH, DJ Raj, DJ Sid, DJ Saj Akhtar, Soldier Hill Crew, and Saunyk X Sahil NRG.
Other attractions comprised the ‘Doors of Goa’ installation, capturing the aesthetic architectural doors of Goa in a miniature format. Visitors were seen posing against vibrant Photo-ops placed across the venue including the pristine backdrop of a Goa beach and fishing boat, famous Artists of Goa; Doors of Goa; and a dazzling 3-D Goa Tourism ‘I Love Goa’ installation.
A Zone dedicated to the ‘Legends of Goa’ saw an exclusive area paying tribute to the many famous local artists and talents who made India proud. These includes Padma Vibushan awardee Mario Miranda, model Candice Pinto, musicians Dinanath Mangeshkar, Remo Fernandes, Chris Perry, Hema Sardesai, António Fortunato de Figueiredo, Anthony Gonsalves, Ian D’Sa, Lourdino Barreto, Sonia Sirsat, Suresh Haldonkar and Tulsidas Borkar, to name a few. Acclaimed Olympians and sports personalities from Goa included Dilip Sardesai, Leander Paes, Mary D’Souza Sequeira, Mervyn Fernandes, Peter Paul Fernandes and Neville D’Souza, amongst other greats.
The GOA VILLAGE displayed a vibrant Flea Market showcasing and selling Goan wares spanning apparel, accessories, colorful pottery, coconut handicrafts, beaded items and shells, and many exotic items unique to Goa.
The Local Goan Ingredient Stall was a great hit with the visitors as it enabled tourists to experience the many indigenous local Goan spices, food pastes, cashew nuts and pickles. Visitors had the option of purchasing the items at the venue and getting the same safely delivered to their homes pan India.
The Food Zone at GOA VILLAGE saw many traditional and contemporary Goan cuisines served by some popular local chefs and restaurants of Goa. The Goa Bar housed local drinks like Urrak, Feni, Cabo and People’s Lager, and Mixologists skillfully converted these native drinks into tasty cocktails.
