KUWAIT CITY, Nov 13: The Goan Cultural Centre (GCC) delivered one of its most spectacular celebrations yet as World Goa Day 2025 drew more than a thousand Goans and well-wishers to Aspire Indian School, Kuwait. Led by President Carmo Santos, the day-long event highlighted the richness of Goan culture through music, dance, food, sports, and community traditions.

The festivities opened with a lively 3-a-side Tiebreaker football tournament featuring 30 teams, followed by cultural performances streamed live on a giant outdoor screen. Guests enjoyed Goan delicacies and a packed program of entertainment.The cultural show featured performances by Susegad Symphonies, Carmel School students, JTN Beat Breakers, Senoritas Dance Group, Dekhni dancers, and Ex-Carmelites performing the Spanish-themed Corazones de Goa. A stylish performance by Divas de Goa added to the vibrancy.

Outstanding Goan students from grades 10 and 12 were felicitated, while veteran musician Shri Socorro de Melo received the Lifetime Achievement Award, followed by a touching duet with his son Fred de Melo. Mr. Peter Joseph was also honored by Capt. Venzy Viegas and Carmo Santos for his community service.

The evening’s highlights included soul-stirring Konkani kantaram by Mickey Fernandes, Esparansa & Gasper Crasto, Avers Pereira, and Zhana Yordanova, under the music direction of Maestro Shahu Almeida, a traditional Manddo led by Zelia Rodrigues and Mickey Fernandes, and a creative Halloween-themed dance by T-Bush & Team. A heartfelt tribute song by Carrie Santos to her late mother, Francisca Mascarenhas, moved the audience, while DJ Snedden kept the energy high throughout the event.The humor book Tackling Wife Questions – Goan Style by Gasper Crasto was officially launched at the venue.

Dignitaries included Archbishop Eugene Martin Nugent, Indian Embassy Second Secretary Harit Ketan Shelat, and Goan MLA Capt. Venzy Viegas, and several International delegates such as Bruno Gomes (Switzerland), Agnello Fernandes (Goa), Maurice Pereira, John De Sá, Martin Mascarenhas (Qatar), and Trever Noronha (Abu Dhabi) added to the event’s prestige.

In his vote of thanks, GCC President Carmo Santos expressed gratitude to supporters and reaffirmed the importance of preserving Goan culture abroad.

The grand finale featured an electrifying concert by Injunktion, led by the charismatic Genevieve D’Souza. Flown in specially for the occasion, the band delivered a power-packed performance that transformed the hall into a lively dance floor and left the audience wanting more.

World Goa Day 2025 stood as a powerful reminder that distance does not diminish identity — the spirit of Goa continues to thrive in the hearts of its people, wherever they may be.