The festival, which is back after a five-year hiatus, will pay tribute to founding member and festival director, late Santiago Girelli
ADITHI SHARMA | NT BUZZ
The Ketevan Music Festival is all set to be held at the historic Ruins of St. Augustine, Old Goa on March 21.
The festival celebrates the life and legacy of Queen Ketevan of Georgia, a 17th-century martyr, who endured severe persecution before her tragic death in 1624. Her relics, secretly preserved by Portuguese missionaries, were later discovered in Goa by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 2005. This discovery led to a deepening of diplomatic ties between India and Georgia, culminating in the formal gifting of a part of her relics to Georgia in 2021. The Ketevan Music Festival was originally conceived to celebrate her enduring legacy through music and cultural exchange.
Last held five years ago, the festival has faced significant challenges in its revival.
“Two major setbacks disrupted the festival: the COVID-19 pandemic and the untimely passing of Santiago Girelli, our festival director. Santiago was the driving force behind this festival, and his loss left a void that was difficult to fill,” says Omer Haider, a key member of the festival’s revival efforts.
However, the festival’s organisers, led by the Embassy of Georgia in New Delhi, the Ministry of Culture of Georgia, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), have ensured its comeback.
While previously spread across multiple historic locations in Old Goa, this year the organisers have consolidated performances to a single venue—the Ruins of St. Augustine—both for ease of access and to streamline management.
“Getting permissions from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was a long and difficult process. Since the festival is being held at a UNESCO-protected site, we had to comply with strict guidelines. Fortunately, the Embassy of Georgia played a crucial role in securing approvals,” says Haider.
This year’s festival will also pay tribute to the late Girelli with the Georgian ambassador delivering a special address. “He was a founding member, and it is only fitting that we acknowledge his contributions,” shares Haider.
The festival is free and open to all.
