What’s Missing at This Year’s St. Francis Xavier Exposition?

Marius Fernandes, popularly known as “Goencho Festakar”, is a name synonymous with Goa’s cultural preservation and revival. Born in Kenya to Goan parents, Marius has carried his Goan heritage like a badge of honour.

For the past 25 years, Marius has curated several authentic festivals in Goa with an aim to promote Goan traditions and culture. From the Jackfruit Festival to the Poderanche Fest and Raponkar Festival, his passion has always been celebrating Goa’s villages, culture, cuisine and folklore. "Each village in Goa has a unique identity, story, culture, and beliefs that should be kept alive," he says.  

Marius’ love for cultural preservation extends to the grand Exposition of the relics of St. Francis Xavier, a deeply spiritual event that resonates strongly with his family’s legacy. As the 18th edition of the exposition unfolds at the UNESCO World Heritage site in Old Goa, Marius reflects on the exposition’s legacy, his personal connection to it and his vision for its future. 

The Festakar’s Roots: A Family Tradition 

This year’s edition marks 80 years since his mother Antonetta Fernandes first started attending the event. His now 93-year-old mother, who grew up in Salvador do Mundo, recounts walking several kilometers during the 1940s to attend the exposition with her own mother. Their journey, filled with determination and devotion, involved crossing fields by foot, canoeing across the Mandovi River and then walking from Panjim to Old Goa.  

This year’s edition also marks 50 years for Marius since his mother Antonetta first took him for the exposition in 1974. His mother took him and his five siblings to Old Goa and camped there for a week. “We used to have a picnic in the gardens between the Basilica and the Se Cathedral in those days,” he recalls. “We used to share dishes like pulao and tea in the garden and then used to go to attend novena masses”. 

Exposition 2024: Modern Amenities and Missing Traditions 

Reflecting on the ongoing edition of the exposition, Marius says that the event can now see several changes. “The 2024 edition of the exposition has seen substantial improvements in logistics and infrastructure”, he says. “From designated car parks and buggies to wardens ensuring visitor safety, the site is well-organized, thanks to the efforts of Sandip Jacques, the Commissioner for the Exposition and his team”. Waste management workers maintain cleanliness, ensuring the UNESCO site remains pristine for pilgrims and tourists alike. Facilities such as toilets and drinking water are made available at various points with the exposition site. Also, the road between the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Se Cathedral has been closed to traffic, making it easier for pilgrims to walk between the two sites. 

While praising the proper organising of the exposition, Marius also laments the dimming Goan pulse at the event in recent years. “No Goan feast is complete without Goan candle and flower sellers,” he laments, pointing to their absence at this year’s exposition. He also notes that the traditional brass bands, a hallmark of Goan feasts, were not seen playing after the masses during the days of the novenas this year. “I hope future editions of the exposition will see young musicians performing during the novena days,” he says. 

Another concern for Marius is the dominance of out-of-state goods at stalls at the exhibition fair. He emphasizes the need to have more Goan products sold at the exposition fair to preserve the authentic spirit of the event. 

A Beacon of Community and Inclusivity 

Marius is heartened by efforts like the food stall run by Fr. Felix Lobo at the St. Cajetan Church grounds. Staffed by single parents and individuals with special needs, the stall offers authentic Goan dishes at affordable prices and attracts long queues of patrons. 

Similarly, the presence of visually impaired individuals like Viona Pereira, Tyron Monteiro, and Gajanand Velip running a stall near Gandhi Circle showcases the event’s commitment to empowerment. “These young people are earning a living with dignity, which is inspiring,” Marius remarks. 

A Vision for the Future 

For Marius, the exposition is not just an event but a cultural phenomenon that must evolve while preserving its core values. He envisions a more culturally vibrant exposition in the years to come. He advocates for the use of the other historic churches in Old Goa for cultural performances, tiatrs and live music celebrating St. Francis Xavier’s life during future editions of the event. He also hopes that the authorities will make all the facilities offered at this year’s exposition available permanently. “I especially hope that the roads and streets within the heritage site area will be kept as it is now - people friendly and free of vehicles”, he says. This will benefit Goa and its tourism sector with more footfalls”. 

Marius’s reflections on the ongoing Exposition of St. Francis Xavier's sacred relics are a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural identity in the face of modernization. In his role as “Goencho Festakar,” he continues to be a driving force behind the preservation and celebration of Goa’s cultural legacy. His work and his words inspire those who attend the Exposition and other festivals to appreciate the unique beauty and spirit of Goa, ensuring that its traditions are passed onto future generations.

By Steve Antao