GTDC all set to celebrate New Year’s Eve

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (GTDC) is all set to celebrate New Year’s Eve on board Santa Monica on 31st December 2015 from 9 pm to 12 midnight.

A pulsating countdown to ring out the Old and ring in the New Year will be a major highlight.

The event will be full of fun with Grand Gala Buffet Dinner and enjoyable music.

The Cultural Programme is conceptualized by the Event Management Agency “Goa Culture Guild”

The programme will start at 9: 15 pm with DJ music followed by various other entertainment such as the The Hippie Birdie dance (a fun UV act), Cutti Fugdi, and the crowning of the New Year King & Queen contest, The New Year Parade (a fun filled interactive dance), The Goan Cocktail (a fusion medley of Goa’s liveliest acts), the Goan Jive and revitalizing Buffet Dinner will be served.

The New Year 2016 will be ushered in with lots of Fireworks after a Snow Spray Countdown.

The ticket rates per couple is Rs.4000/-, per head Rs.2500/- and Rs.1000/- per child between age group 5 to 12 years. This includes snacks and sumptuous buffet Dinner.

The ticket holders are requested to arrange their own transport for a pick and drop at the venue.

European Commission project to give big boost to Carnival floats 2016

Panjim, December 4: Keen on improving the quality and standard of floats at the Goa Carnival next year, the GTDC through a project sponsored by the European Commission has decided to provide grant of financial assistance upto Rs 1 lakh each to at least 20 floats, the selection process for which will begin shortly.

Goa Tourism is working round the clock to position Goa Carnival as a Premiere State tourism event and is working on this project in association with Brouhaha International an arts organization based in Liverpool United Kingdom. The project is entitled ‘Destination Carnival’ which is aimed at exchange of ideas and talents across three countries namely UK, South Africa and Goa India.

Applications have been invited from interested participants, artists, float fabricators for the same. According to the guidelines laid down, the float participants will have to par take in the float parades held in all four cities Panjim, Margao, Mapusa and Vasco.

The applicants seeking the assistance will have to submit the sketch of the float specifications, concept and design, and will thereafter be shortlisted by a panel. The shortlisted applicants will be called for a presentation before the selection committee and the selected floats will be sanctioned the grants thereafter.

The Minister for Tourism, Mr. Dilip Parulekar said, “We want to see Carnival evolving while also maintaining the traditional essence that is displayed through the float parades, performances and activities. People throng to Goa for the Carnival every year which is the only event of its kind held in Goa. Hence the endeavor is to motivate float designers to come forth with creative and original concepts so that the floats are attractive, have good designs, and have good performances in keeping with the themes. We have been showcasing Carnival to the world during the last three years and it is very encouraging to see that we now have international sponsorship to help improve on Carnival floats, performances and so on.”

Similarly the GTDC has invited applications from carnival artists, and dance performers between 18-30 years who would like to participate in the project.

The objective is to provide them an opportunity for developing into young artists and dance performers with the ultimate goal driven towards professional competencies. This will also go a long way in equipping them with skills so as to ensure proper up-gradation of organizational capacities of Carnival in these respective countries.

Selected candidates will get an opportunity to travel to Cape Town and Liverpool UK as part of the exchange programme.

The GTDC is in the process of appointing selection committees who will meet in December to scrutinize all the applications that come for seeking financial grants and for participation from Goan youth in the exchange programmes.

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