Siolim São João TRADITIONAL BOAT FESTIVAL & CULTURAL ORGANISATION

The San joao festival in Siolim is believed to be more than a century old. Boats from the neighboring villages of Badem, Assagoa, Anjuna, Chapora, Vagator, etc coming in canoes and putting the garland at the Cross located in front of St, Anthony’s Church. In the mid 80s a group of well known persons like Alexyz (Cartoonist), Alister Miranda (Journalist) , Joel dsouza (photographer), Fermino, Rajan Fulari and others got together and started the boat parade. A small podium was erected near the Cross and prizes in the form of cakes, fruits were awarded to the best decorated boats, best costumes, best copels etc. At the start of the 90s,when our committee (Siolim Sao Joao Traditional Boat & Cultural Organization) headed by our ever energetic president ,Mr Sylvester Fernandes took over, there was no looking back. The festival became bigger and bigger with a massive stage, bigger sound system. cash prizes were offered to the best decorated boats, best copels etc. Famous tiatrists, singers were invited to perform. Its a pleasure to mention that almost all the famous artists, tiatrists have graced the occasion. If you want to see the sea of humanity, be there on 24th June and witness. One thing to be noted here is that in spite of offers of big multinational companies, to sponsor our San Joao, we refused to promote them. One can say till date this is a people’s festival as they sponsor generously