Response to Portuguese cultural week overwhelming, says Mendes

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-11-17
PANAJI — The Ambassador of Portugal in India, Dr Louis Filipe Castro Mendes, on Saturday observed that the general response of the Goans for ‘Semana de Cultura Portuguesa’, the Portuguese Cultural Week, was overwhelming.
Dr Mendes, who attended the ‘Noite de Encerramento,’ the Closing Night of the Portuguese Cultural Week, at Clube Harmonia, in Margao told ‘The Navhind Times,’ that the special link that exists between Goa and Portugal has been responsible for the grand success of the ‘Semana de Cultura Portuguesa.’
The Portuguese Ambassador, in his written speech also said that there are no hidden agendas with the Portuguese government.
"We became a democracy in 1974; We are no more a colonial power since 1975; We are members of the European Union from 1985 and we belong to the Eurozone and to the Schengen agreement, which means that we belong to the main core of the European Union," Dr Mendes stated, adding, “We have developed the best of relations with all our former colonies, having a great share of our investment in Brazil, Angola and Mozambique."
"And nowadays, we have also important Angolan and Brazilian investments in Portugal," he pointed out.
Speaking further, Dr Mendes said, “Our agenda with India is clear and open: We have in the last year, remarkably increased our economic, business, scientific and cultural relations with India, in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Gujarat, and more and more Portuguese companies are coming to work together with Indian partners."
"Scientific co-operation is going on in Bangalore and Hyderabad,” he noted, adding that Portuguese language is taught not only in Goa, but also in Delhi and Kolkota.
"And one thing I won’t hide from you,” the Portuguese Ambassador said, mentioning, “I strongly wish to see during my years in India, the surging of more and more relations in all fields, be it in language and culture, be it in business and economy, or be it in tourism and trade, between Portuguese and Goans."
"We feel towards Goa that affection, that love, which can neither be hidden nor erased" he concluded.
The president of the organising committee for ‘Semana de Cultura Portuguesa,’ Mr Anil Counto, in his speech said that the committee has gained enough experience and encouragement from Goans, and decided to have the Portuguese Cultural Week as an annual event. “I appeal to the government of Goa and also government of India to support us in organising this event, every year, for better understanding and better relations between the two countries, for mutual benefits,” he added. The Consul General of Portugal in Goa, Dr Paulo Neves Pocinho was also present on the occasion. The 7-day event showcasing the Portuguese culture came to an end with traditional Fado being performed by Portuguese Fadistas, Miguel Capucho and Maria Ana Bobone, besides Goan singer, Sonia Sirsat.