Post-pandemic, Goa’s Lokotsav 2023 saw good participation

The art cultural extravaganza held every year draws people from across the state. From wooden handicrafts, metalworks and ceramicware, to the cultural performances held every evening, through the ten-day festival people from various parts of the country participated.
Vendors this year were happy to see the large attendance, Ester and Evy from Nagaland who sold décor items made from dried mushrooms, driftwood and grass were pleased with this year's sales.“This year’s crowd is almost the same as it was in the pre-pandemic times, we’re pretty pleased with the response we’ve got,” says Evy. Vijay Kumar Kharadi from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh had several wooden toys and artefacts on display, says that people have come looking for his works, “People are going back to buying wooden toys for their children instead of plastic ones, and that has helped our business” he says.
Apart from arts and crafts, the festival also gives Goans a taste of regional foods, from Rajasthani kachoris to Lucknowi kulfi. Dharamveer Sharma, who has a stall selling sweets from Lucknow, has been coming here every year. “I have been coming here for the past 20 odd years, and have seen the festival grow in popularity. Some people come to my stall every year to have the kulfi and the rasmalai,” says Sharma.
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