The Institute Menezes Braganza is an iconic building in Panjim. Located along the main road that leads to Dona Paula, it has been around for decades. In fact, this institution was commissioned and built during Portuguese rule in Goa, in the late 19th century.
Image credit – Frederick Noronha
An institution that promotes literature, art, and culture in the state
In the beginning, this institution was known as Institute Vasco da Gama. It was established on 24th November 1871 and continued to run under this name until the Portuguese rule came to an end. After Liberation, the Goa government took over its activities and renamed it as Institute Menezes Braganza in 1963 after Luis de Menezes Braganza. It was controlled and financed by the government as well. Subsequently, in 1997, the existence of the said institute came to an end and it was re-established as a new Society and registered under the Registration of Societies Act 1860. And to this day, the institution still promotes language/ literature, art, and culture in Goa.
Institute Menezes Braganza focuses primarily on promoting activities in the fields of Language, Literature, Art & Culture in Goa as per official documentation. Therefore, very often, there are art exhibitions, singing competitions in different languages, talks and even panel discussions held on a variety of topics pertaining to these very fields. Another official point to note is that the institution “primarily seeks to promote Goan talent in allied areas and to meet the versatile cultural interests of Goan society as a whole.”
Collaborations with other organizations interested in promoting art, culture, and literature in the state
The institution is also known to work closely with a number of organizations in the state on related events in the field of art and culture. These include the National Book Trust, New Delhi, Sahitya Akademi, Goa Konkani Academi, Gomantak Marathi Academi, Gomantak Sahitya Sevak Mandal.
Below, is a list of activities and facilities that Institute Menezes Braganza provides:
- Providing a common platform for interactions such as symposia, Panel discussion, lectures, talks, debates, elocution contests, recitals, and performances.
- Organizing conferences, seminars, literary festivals, Poet’s meets, workshops, exhibitions, and competitions etc.
- Publishing Books, Seminar papers, souvenirs, pamphlets, conference proceedings, bulletin/journals and to create a valuable database information.
Information credit
https://www.goa.gov.in/department/institute-menezes-braganza/
ItsGoa/AUG/KDGP
