Schools and colleges in Goa are buzzing with preparations for French National Day, celebrated on July 14. Also known as Bastille Day, it engages students in exploring the rich culture and language of France
RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY
As French National Day draws near, schools and colleges in Goa which offer French are preparing to celebrate with activities that showcase French culture. Given that July 14 falls on a Sunday, some institutions have decided to celebrate either before or after the day.
Manovikas School in Margao will hold its festivities on July 15. The school has planned a series of events for a special assembly. There will be a French prayer and a French song to start. Students will then perform a French cultural dance and a fashion parade. There will also be a French quiz to test knowledge about French culture and history. The assembly will end with everyone singing the French National Anthem.
After the assembly, students will compete in a 3D pen art competition and a doodling competition. There will also be a display of French cuisine.
At Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School in Margao, the celebration will also be observed on July 15. The assembly will feature various activities aimed at highlighting the significance of French culture and language. French teacher, Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School, Fatorda, Ivanka Mascarenhas says, “Students will talk about interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower, a symbol with deep connections to the French Revolution and modern France.” The assembly will end with students singing the French song ‘Champs-Élysées’, originally written by French lyricist Joe Dassin.
Mascarenhas adds that the celebration of French National Day at her school has influenced students’ understanding and appreciation of French culture and language. “They can now compare Indian and French cultures, which helps them understand their own culture and ethnicity better, and also improves their understanding of the French language.
In honour of the day, Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts (KCCA), Verna, in collaboration with Alliance Française Panjim (an international organisation that aims to promote the French language and culture globally) will organise a French masterclass on July 13, 3 p.m., at the college. The session will be led by chef Patrick Albert, a member of the Maitre Cuisinier de France and head chef faculty at KCCA, who will demonstrate both classic and lesser-known French cooking techniques.
“Participants can expect to learn dishes such as tarte tomate (tomato tart), îles flottantes (floating islands), and poulet à la diable (devilled chicken),” says chef Albert, inviting culinary enthusiasts and lovers of French cuisine to join. Registration is open to the public, with limited seats available. Interested participants can register through the link provided on the social media pages.
“This masterclass aims to give participants cultural insights into a culinary tradition that has influenced the gastronomic world for ages. It also aims to provide historical insights into Bastille Day, which marked a pivotal moment in the iconic French Revolution on July 14, 1789,” says Chef Albert.
The Department of French at Parvatibai Chowgule College, Margao, will also mark the day through a lively cultural event.
Assistant professor and in-charge of the Department of French, Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts & Science, Margao, Carol Barreto Miranda says that the department plans to organise intradepartmental games centred around French culture and civilisation, along with a display and tasting session of French cuisine.
The students will perform a short skit in French, and to conclude the event, there will be plenty of music, songs, and a Cancan dance performance. “This celebration helps students learn more about French customs, traditions, and art. By planning and participating in these activities, students improve their language skills and deepen their understanding of French history and values,” says Miranda.
The Discipline of French and Francophone Studies at Shenoi Goembab School of Languages and Literature will also be hosting a lively event highlighting French culture and history.
A key feature of the event is ‘La Magnifique Mascarade’, where participants will dress up as famous French figures, real or fictional, and present a short monologue. “This competition aims to educate and engage the community by bringing to life the stories of important French personalities who have shaped history,” says programme director, B.A. French (Honours) and assistant professor in French Shenoi Goembab School of Languages and Literature, Goa University, Kshama D. Dharwadkar. On July 12, two plays by the students of B.A. and M.A. French will be held from 1 p.m. onwards at the Seminar Hall, Block B.
Dharwadkar adds that the event showcases French achievements in politics, arts, literature, and science, providing a fun way to learn about notable French figures while encouraging community and cultural appreciation.
She further says that students at Goa University get a good exposure to French culture and language through the French Day celebration. She says, “It has given them an excellent way of putting to practical use their French language skills and in the process has helped them to improve their oratory skills. Also, the interaction with French art, music, and history enhances their cultural understanding thus fostering cultural sensitivity.”
Overall, French Day, she adds, is useful in developing an effective learning environment, the peculiar interaction between cultures, and the basic sense of belonging to the large community of the French-speaking countries.
“French National Day, also known as Bastille Day is one of the most significant revolutionary days in French history. It is celebrated with a blend of solemn military parades, lively dancing and spectacular fireworks.” ~ Chef Patrick Albert
Featured Events
The Goa Hiking Association is organising a State-Level Trekking and Adventure Camp from December 26 to 30 at Tamdi Surla, Dharbandora. Activities will include trekking in the Western Ghats, rock climbing, river crossing, and more. Details: 8600572050 / 9822984848 / Pramodkamat107@gmail.com. Registration deadline: December 15. (Image used for representational purposes only)
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With a deep understanding of agriculture and a desire to bring locally grown marigold flowers to the Goan community, Amona-based farmer Krishna Sinari has embarked on the high-tech venture of marigold farming. RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT Inspired by the need for locally grown marigold flowers, Krishna Sinari, the owner of Prakriti Farm Products, has started a high-tech venture of marigold farming in a 3,000-square-meter plot. With a total of 5,000 plants, his farm boasts vibrant yellow and orange marigold flowers. The inspiration behind choosing marigold flowers as the primary crop stems, he says, is that even though Goa has a suitable environment for its growth, a majority of the flowers are brought in from other places. “Marigolds are essential for Diwali celebrations. So I chose to start my own marigold production to meet the local demand,” says Sinari, who holds a diploma in agriculture and has done various courses to enhance his knowledge in the field. Currently enjoying his first marigold harvest, the next crop of flowers will be during Diwali and later for Tulsi Vivah. After that, he will move on to the next crop. Sinari has previously cultivated hybrid chillies and lady fingers and plans to explore other […]
Goa-based musician ‘Discokid’ to perform at Serendipity Arts Festival 2023
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 […]
