Goans in UK come together for festival

music mixed with dance, food and spirits as nearly 10,000 people with Portuguese citizenship revelled at the annual festival here on Sunday, reflecting characteristic nonchalance and some relief over recent assurances about the future of EU citizens after Brexit.

Goan families converged in large numbers from Swindon, Leicester and elsewhere at Cranford Community College in west London, as the day began with mass by bishop Patrick Lynch and unfolded in the many hues of Goan culture, including Konkani songs.

Compared to last year’s event, when some uncertainty over their future after Brexit was in the air, there was a discernible relaxed atmosphere. The rules for the future of Goan-Portuguese and other EU citizens is yet to be finalised in talks with Brussels.

“Brexit is no longer in the forefront of Goans’ minds. In fact, the concern is more about the overall economy and how the pound’s fluctuations will affect decisions such as buying houses. After all, Goans are survivors, we have seen the worst in Africa too,” remarked Rabi Martins, councillor in Watford and a senior local leader of the Liberal Democrats.

However, civil servant Jaime Barreto added a note of caution as people jived to numbers by Goan singers DnT (Denzil and Trisca) and the Bad Blood band (the songs included the iconic Lorna Cordeiro’s song Yo bailey yo, soro maka zhai poelo).