There’s nothing plastic about this celebration in Socorro

One thing stood out this year at Socorro's ‘Patoieanchem fest' on Monday held on the occasion of the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady the large number of Goans from Canacona, Vasco, Margao, and even Daman; as also Goans settled in the UK, all getting their first taste of Socorro's famed community festivities.
Villagers from Saligao, Parra and Siolim came out in support of Socorrkars.That there is a resurgence of Goan culture is now being increasingly acknowledged and was on display as the villagers opened their church yard and hearts to everyone.
One was greeted by a carnival of colours and villagers on the grounds of the Our Lady of Socorro church. The happy mood and camaraderie overflowed as one eased into the festivities. The yard was brought alive by zigzagging coloured flags while the church stood stoic, almost indulging the community celebration.
The festival, in its fifth year, was originally conceived by Marius Fernandes from Divar, who is most devoted to reviving Goan traditions. That this fest also coincides with India's Independence Day makes it even more collective and welcoming. The festival has stuck to it guns of no plastic, no alcohol, no sponsorship, no contests or prizes, and most of all, no chief guests.
Fernandes tells TOI, "We want to empower women and children, remind everyone of their Goenkarponn, help each other with organizing the festival. Remind everyone that it is our festival and that the community is in control," he adds, "the highlight this year is that we trained our youth to use Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to spread the message and that is why we have people from as far as even Daman." He says he's thankful, "for the villagers from Saligao who sent no less than four dance troupes this year".
Guests are in for a treat of liberally doled out patolles (a traditional sweetmeat of newly-harvested rice ground to a fine paste, grated coconut mixed with jaggery and steamed to perfection in turmeric leaves).
While the feast is essentially celebrated as a community gathering, organized by the Socorro Socio-Art and Cultural Association - Soccorrkars invited dance troupes from nearby villages and even a troupe from Jharkhand that perhaps drew the most interest with their rhythmic slow hip and feet dance, low chants, accompanied by a solo drummer.
Cultural personalities of Goa such as Alexyz, Prajal Sakhardande, Pantaleo Fernandes, Socorro de Santacruz volunteered their time, while Fr Santana Carvalho, parish priest of Socorro, took over master of ceremonies duties.
It begins to feel even more culture-soaked Goans with a display of proud heirlooms, a dance troupe from far Jharkhand, visitors from across the seas, urban-settlers and Goans from hinterlands across generations with all faiths mixing against a background of a church and the India tri-colour.
Ivy Rosario flew in from Goa's former colonial outlier, Daman. What drives her to make it all the way just for the fest? "I had promised Marius and I wanted to be at this fest which is everything Goan and community-driven. I have not seen such a fest before!"