PANAJI: After reaching out to hundreds of Portuguese nationals of Goan origin in a first-of-its-kind interaction to inform them about the legal status of Portuguese citizens in the UK after Brexit, the Portuguese consulate in London will be setting up a special facilitation counter to register Portuguese citizens at the UK Goan Festival on August 5 at Hounslow .

“We have received confirmation from the Portuguese Consulate that the Consul General of Portugal in London will be attending the festival with her team especially to register all Portuguese citizens of Goan origin with the Consulate. The team will personally take registrations and answer any questions. No matter how long they have been living in the UK, every Portuguese national of Goan origin will have to register with the Portuguese consulate,” social director and PR of the Goan Association (UK), Bella Fernandes told TOI.

Last year 3627 Goans surrendered their Indian nationality for Portuguese nationality in Goa, translating to an average of nine surrenders each day and over 300 each month.

A large number of Goans who surrender their Indian nationality for Portuguese nationality live and work in the UK where they enjoy the rights of an EU citizen.

Touted to be one of the largest Goan cultural events outside India, the UK Goan summer festival has been an annual affair for decades now, attended by thousands of persons of Goan origin living in the UK and beyond.

“Goans from USA, Canada , Australia, US and Dubai will be travelling to the UK for the festival this year,” Fernandes says.

From food stalls selling Goan sausages to traditional mandos, dulpods and dekhni performances to comedy shows in Konkani by professionals and the youth, the festival is expected to fill the void the Goans feel, miles away from home.

India’s high commissioner in the UK will also be attending the programme.

“The event has created a global stage giving opportunities to Goans to showcase their talent and allowing Goan businesses an opportunity to network. The festival attracts Goans from all over the world to experience the buzz and unity in keeping our tradition and culture alive in the UK and making every Goan feel part of this wider Goan community,” the association’s president Ravi Vaz says.

