Dubai Goans Celebrate Festa Sao Joao In High Spirits!

Source: billytoonsgoa_official

It was another hot summer evening of 22^nd June 2024. As the sun made its way beneath the horizon, hundreds gathered at the Canvas Hotel in Bur Dubai to commemorate the much awaited feast of St. John the Baptist or Sao Joao as it is referred to in Portuguese.

San Joao Festival at Canvas Hotel, Bur Dubai

For those who are not aware, Sao Joao is a feast celebrated in Goa on 24^th June. According to local traditions, groups of villagers jump into the wells of their respective villages to re-live the spirit of Baptism. With beautifully designed flower wreaths or kopels  as referred to in the local language, it is a great moment of joy to witness all families and the entire neighborhood come together in unison for the grand village fiesta!

The grand feast in Dubai was celebrated at the pool side of the Canvas Hotel. With people coming from all across the Emirates to witness the performances of the duet Tammy & Roy and not to mention – the well-known Raggas to Riches band, it was great to see all our fellow Goemkar’s dance the jive and groove with the beats as they played countless popular tunes of ‘Guantanamera’ along with ‘Ya-Ya-Maya-Yo’, ‘Nirma-Mama-Ailo’, 'Ami Soglim Ek' which stand out amongst the popular folk-tunes of the traditional Goan masala.

This was followed by a kopel competition for the best designed kopel  at the event and the game of Housie in the midst of the tasty aroma’s of the traditional Goan potato chops which were amongst an array of items in the Goan cuisine that were freshly prepared by the hotel’s chefs.

Photo With Billy Fernandes - Goa's acclaimed cartoonist

At the event, I was pleased to meet - Billy Fernandes, a fellow cartoonist who’s work goes by the tradename of Billytoons. Billy is one amongst the countless Goans here in the UAE and elsewhere who are doing their part to keep the culture and traditions of Goa alive in very creative ways. Through his artistically curated cartoons, popular across Goa in the form of WhatsApp stickers, souvenirs and other novelties – he has and continues to work tirelessly towards preserving the Goan identity and conversations around it, aside from throwing light on key issues and other current affairs.

It was interesting to note that Billy had graduated from the same college as myself in Goa and was also good friends to another fellow Goan cartoonist who’s son was in the same class as myself back in school. In hindsight, I was pleased to meet this talented individual in whose creative cartoons I had developed a deep interest in during the pandemic.

Billy Fernandes' popular cartoons on display at the event

As one of the key sponsors of this event, Billy’s famous Sao Joao cartoons were also put up on display at the event screens along with an array of advertisements on Goa2Gulf brand – a Goan store in Bur Dubai that sells all the traditional Goan masalas and pickles, once again a partnership between Billy and a few other Goans in Dubai.

Family Photo with Tammy & Roy

Having arrived on dot at the venue, we had the opportunity to meet and interact with Billy, Tammy and Roy along with other key acts of the event. However as time passed, there was a massive crowd to witness the eye-catching performances of Ragga’s to Riches band that was flown all the way from Goa to perform for this event. As the crowd jeered loudly in excitement, the atmosphere was now transformed into an actual ‘dance party’ with less to no space available. Additionally, the tickets were all sold out for the event which further highlighted the event’s resounding success and it’s ability to gain traction of a considerable amount of the Goan populace here in Dubai.

To all of you fellow Dubai Goans, I commend you for raising the bar in Sao Joao celebrations over the years. We look forward to next year's celebration soon! Vivvaa San Joao!!!