Once a sleepy village, now Pilerne in North Goa is bustling with activities almost throughout the year. And one event that really ignited this confidence and enthusiasm among the villagers was the first edition of Matiechem Fest which was held last year. The second edition of the community festival will be held on October 8. While it was planned for October 2 but due to the bad weather, the organisers have decided to host the festival, the following weekend on October 8 at St John de Baptist Church, Pilerne from 3 pm onwards.
However, this change in plan has not dimmed the energy with which the Pilerne villagers are working on the festival. The number of participants has certainly increased since last year and they are back with newer ideas. The second Matiechem Fest will be organised by Pilerne Arts Socio Cultural Association (PASCA) hosted by Fr Derrick Fernandes, parish priest of St John de Baptist Church, Pilerne and curated by Festakar Marius Fernandes
The festival will begin with a Pasoi at 3 pm, along with a brass band. This will be followed by street parades, Konkani play, bolcaocheo gozalli, drum circle, Pilerne deuli dance performance, performances by Pilerne Sunshine Band, Dominic Soares and the Allstars, a flash mob by the Pilerne youth and Polly Fernandes and the Serenadors will be rocking the crowd. There will be tasty dishes presented by the Goan food stalls in the church courtyard.
Fr Derrick has seen the village transform over the year. “Earlier, there were not much activities in the villages. However, after hosting the first Matienchem Fest, the villagers have bonded well that too with other communities. The Matiechem Fest led to the weekly Pilerne Heritage Thursday Market. It showcased that women entrepreneurs can take the lead and stand on their own feet as most of the stalls were run by women. It also showcased the talent of the villagers’ right from Catechism children singing songs and playing musical instruments to the senior members performing live. It also helped the bonding among other communities in the village. We used to have people from the neighbouring villages visit the market as it was a nice time to spend the evening with music and camaraderie. We plan to start the Pilerne Heritage Thursday Market by mid-November for the next season,” says Fr Derrick.
This festival will also include the twinning of two Goan villages, Pilerne and Carambolim. While Marius calls Carambolim, the Food Basket of Goa, and Pilerne, as the Potters Village of Goa, it might be difficult to understand its connection. Yet, he explains the history of how these two villages are intertwined, “During the Spanish Flu in 1918, the entire village of Pilerne was affected. The whole Kumbar Vaddo, either moved to other villages. The potter families moved either to Vaddem in Soccoro or to Xelpem, Duler. As the village had to be rebuilt, the villagers from Carambolim were invited to build the bunds, ponds, salt pans and cultivate the fields in Pilerne.
Not only that, they also brought St John the Baptist from Carambolim to Pilerne,” says Marius Fernandes, about this bond among the villages that is steeped in centuries-old culture and heritage
He further adds, “Both the villages also have lakes that have been notified as wetlands and it is important to understand the true meaning of a wetland. Saulem Lake at Pilerne has been notified as Goa’s seventh wetland under the central government’s 2017 Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules. Carambolim Lake is also picturesque and beautiful and different migratory birds visit the lake. Rajesh Naik from Carambolim will talk about the importance of wetlands at the fest.”
With lots to learn, the festival promises to be a package of great music, heritage and culture.