The Goa Book Fair & Children’s Literature Festival is all set to bring together book lovers and storytellers
RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY
Imagine a place where children can enjoy stories, meet their favourite authors, and explore books that spark their curiosity. That’s exactly what they’ll get at the Goa Book Fair & Children’s Literature Festival, scheduled from February 27 to March 3.
A new addition to the annual Goa Book Fair, which has been running for two years, the Children’s Literature Festival is organised by The Dogears Bookshop, Margao, in collaboration with Publishing Next.
According to co-founder of The Dogears Bookshop and the festival Leonard J Fernandes, it aims to create a dedicated space where children can engage with books, interact with authors, and develop a love for reading.
He believes children remain drawn to good stories and engaging illustrations. “They’re selective about what they read and often influenced by their friends’ choices. They prefer books that engage them, which they can relate to and understand,” he says.
Further, he stresses the importance of children’s literature in developing a love for reading. “Studies show that reading a wide range of books helps children think critically, research better, and spot misinformation,” he says, adding that reading also helps children develop empathy, making them more aware of the world around them.
The festival will include workshops, storytelling, cosplay, poetry slams, music sessions, and more. “We have around 25 to 30 sessions per day. The full schedule is available on the website,” he says.
Among the 150 planned sessions, a few cater to adults, including discussions on encouraging reading among digitally native children, enhancing pedagogies for those with special needs, and creatively retelling classic stories. The festival will also host the paperback release of Remo’s biography.
Authors from Goa and across the country, including Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi will be a part of the festival. In fact, several Konkani authors, including Prashanti Talpankar, Harsha Shetty, Tanvi Bambolkar, and Anvesha Singbal, will take part, with 10 to 12 sessions dedicated to Konkani. “We believe any event in Goa should include both Konkani- and English-speaking children. Although this is our first edition, we are focused on improving and expanding in the future,” says Fernandes.
Alongside the festival, visitors to the book fair will notice more stalls this time—up from 32 last year, with organisers confident of reaching 50. A food court is also being set up.
Fernandes emphasises that the fair isn’t just for children but offers something for all ages. “Apart from children’s books, there will also be a wide range of fiction, non-fiction, self-help, spirituality, fantasy, science fiction, romance, and more,” he says.
However, the biggest challenge in organising the festival has been funding. “We had plans to bring in more authors and host additional sessions, but we simply couldn’t afford it. Recently, we launched a crowdfunding campaign on our website,” he says. “We’re pleased with what we’ve accomplished, but with more funding, we could have done even more. We hope that future editions will receive more support from individuals and the government to help make this festival bigger and better.”
Event highlights
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Over 100 sessions and 40+ speakers
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Books in English, Konkani, Hindi, and Marathi for all ages
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Book fair with publishers from across India
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Author interactions, storytelling, and poetry sessions
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Book-themed crafts, poetry slams, and cosplays
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Theatre, live music, and more
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20+ sessions for kids, teens, and young adults, including two state-level competitions
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Creative writing, mandala art, photo walks, drama, dance
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Music performances, film screenings, and workshops for children
(The Goa Book Fair & Children’s Literature Festival will be held from 
February 27 to March 3, at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Featured Events
Sunaparanta-Goa Centre for the Arts is organising a miniature art exhibition titled’ An Alternative Contemporary’, curated by Waswo X. Waswo. The exhibition will be open to the public until February 28, 2025. Details: +91 832 6750876 / info@sgcfa.org
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Among the eight exceptional music artists handpicked for the B-side Music Production Residency programme, ‘Discokid’, a Goa-based musician will be performing at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2023. The 11-day workshop concluded in Olaulim recently and was organised by the Serendipity Arts Foundation. The eight artists namely Dzerouengmit Lepcha, Fatima Hakeen (Discokid), Lenix Lobo, Hasan Shahrukh, Govi, Ashel Unger, Rushaki Ghosh and Medhaj Dempo, delved deep into the intricacies of music production using Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation during the residency, which formally culminated on October 20. The residency was mentored by industry experts, including Jay Pei, Megha Balani, SHFT and Puneesh Suri. Fatima Hakeen aka ‘Discokid’ is a musician and producer based out of Goa and has been featured in well-known online music shows like Mixmag Goa and Worldwide FM. Over the eleven-day intensive program, the participants explored a myriad of techniques, from working with audio clips and MIDI basics to advanced production methods, honing their skills and collectively broadening their creative horizons. “Each participant brings a unique flavour to the table: from Dzerouengmit Lepcha’s soulful melodies to Discokid’s groovy beats, Lenix Lobo’s experimental sounds and Govi’s fusion of Carnatic vocals with indie and alternative genres. Hasan Shahrukh, with his expertise in […]
Glow of Epiphyllum – Brahma Kamal flowers of Goa
Recently, I came across a news story about a record-breaking bloom of 28 Brahma Kamal flowers in Goa. The spectacular sight of its prolific blossoms in the video took me on a trip down memory lane. We, too, had this beautiful plant in our garden, lovingly tended by my grandmother. Commonly referred to as ‘Bramhakamal’ in Goa and likely across the country, this plant is scientifically known as Epiphyllum Oxypetalum. Belonging to the Cactaceae family, it is an exotic plant native to the rainforests of Central and South America. Interestingly, it has no botanical connection to the true Bramhakamal species, scientifically named Saussurea obvallata, which is found and revered in Uttarakhand and the Himalayan regions. The slight resemblance between Epiphyllum Oxypetalum and the original Bramhakamal may explain the confusion between the two. Also known as the Dutchman’s Pipe Cactus or Queen of the Night, this flower truly lives up to its regal title. In our garden, this plant held a special place in my heart. Its slightly puffed, elongated leaves distinguished it from the other greenery. The celestial blooms appeared rarely, usually between July and September. One of the most unique aspects of this flower is how it unfurls its […]
Festa do Povo: Festival to Showcase Goan Heritage, Food, & Culture
The well-known community festival, Festa do Povo, returns to Panaji again, to promote Goan culture and heritage. The festival is coordinated through community involvement, with assistance from the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and Imagine Panaji, along the pedestrian walkway lined with mangroves at Patto Plaza near the Spaces building. Residents from various wards in the city, who reside in heritage homes and blocks, participate in the festival’s planning. What food can you expect here? It ranges from Goan-Portuguese to Hindu Saraswat to Muslim dishes, cooked by local home chefs, Panaji restaurants, and even international chefs. The food section of the festival showcases Goa’s rich culinary diversity across various religious communities. Additionally, a special Feni bar and beverage station featuring local drinks will enhance the festive atmosphere. Day one (December 14) will feature traditional Shigmo dances and children’s craft activities curated by Bookworm, a -book store for children. Participants can enjoy a variety of performances, including the Kaustubha Ballet, the beloved Stuti Choir, the traditional dekhni dance, and enchanting melodies by the Sound of Music. On the second day, December 15, there will be brass band performances, percussion displays, and carol singing by students from Nirmala School. This […]
A literary wonderland
The Goa Book Fair & Children’s Literature Festival is all set to bring together book lovers and storytellers RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY Imagine a place where children can enjoy stories, meet their favourite authors, and explore books that spark their curiosity. That’s exactly what they’ll get at the Goa Book Fair & Children’s Literature Festival, scheduled from February 27 to March 3. A new addition to the annual Goa Book Fair, which has been running for two years, the Children’s Literature Festival is organised by The Dogears Bookshop, Margao, in collaboration with Publishing Next. According to co-founder of The Dogears Bookshop and the festival Leonard J Fernandes, it aims to create a dedicated space where children can engage with books, interact with authors, and develop a love for reading. He believes children remain drawn to good stories and engaging illustrations. “They’re selective about what they read and often influenced by their friends’ choices. They prefer books that engage them, which they can relate to and understand,” he says. Further, he stresses the importance of children’s literature in developing a love for reading. “Studies show that reading a wide range of books helps children think critically, research better, and spot […]
