Imagine being a movie or literature buff and having the golden opportunity to be surrounded by some of your favourite characters—or even becoming one yourself. Doesn’t that sound like the manifestation of a crazy dream?
Well, hold your horses, because the Goa Book Fair and Children’s Literature Festival, in collaboration with Zeitgeist Goa, brings you a unique chance to witness characters from books, comics, movies and other aspects of popular culture come to life.
‘Cosfest Goa’, a fun and exciting cosplay competition is set to take place on March 2, 2025. It is part of the five-day Goa Book Fair and Children’s Literature Festival that begins tomorrow, on February 27, 2025.
It’s a festival that aims at fostering a love for books and literature among kids, and Cosfest does just that in an interactive and entertaining way!
“Seeing your favourite characters come to life in front of you leads to a lot of conversations, and an exchange of stories—why the costumes are the way they are etc. Just the love of pop-culture leads to more reading. Cosplays in general encourage a love of literature. Meeting others with the same passions also validates the fact that there are others who are into the things you are into,” says Andrew Barreto, the founder of Zeitgeist Goa.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
“Cosfest Goa germinated from an inter-class (college level) cosplay event. We then went to ComicCon Mumbai and in 2016 the first ever cosplay competition in Goa was born. It saw around 30 odd teenagers dressed in their favourite comic accurate cosplays,” recalls Barreto who serves as an Assistant Professor of English at Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts and Science (Autonomous).
Since 2016, this one-of-a-kind cosplay event in Goa has come a long way, culminating into an event that is enjoyed by people of all ages, from kids to adults. Barreto even remembers a heart-warming sight of a family—mother, father and kid—dressed as tinkle characters, which shows how much love the competition has garnered over the years.
EXCITING COLLABORATION
Zeitgeist Goa is a collective that brings together literature aficionados, artists, authors, poets, educators, and professionals from different walks of life, offering a platform to showcase their shared interests and what Barreto calls the 'unsussegad Goan.’
Similarly, the literature festival intends to foster a creative space that is conducive to developing a love for literature among kids by introducing them to a wide range of books, authors, workshops, and interesting competitions–Cosfest being one of them.
“Our collaboration with Zeitgeist is based on the fact that we bring to the table our respective strengths,” says Leonard Fernandes, the director of the Goa Book Fair and Children’s Literature Festival.
“It was but natural to partner up with Goa Children's Literature Festival. I had approached Leonard (Festival Director) to partner up for Cosfest Goa, and Katharsis Goa Poetry slam, and when he said that he was also going to organise the Children's Literature Festival, I jumped at the chance - we are now organising around 20 sessions over the five days,” shares Barreto about their collaboration.
It was but natural to partner up with Goa Children's Literature Festival. I had approached Leonard (Festival Director) to partner up for Cosfest Goa, and Katharsis Goa Poetry slam, and when he said that he was also going to be organising the Children's Literature Festival, I jumped at the chance.
Andrew Barreto, the founder of Zeitgeist Goa
WHAT TO EXPECT?
‘Cosfest Goa,’ the cosplay competition, has evolved and taken shape over the years, and this time it is open to all between the ages of 6 to 60 with individual and group categories. Additionally, there are special categories with attractive prizes.
“The event is supposed to be a fun, enjoyable evening where people who are into cosplays can come together to celebrate pop-culture through the art form of Costume-play or Cosplay! We hope that interacting with regular teens, kids and adults dressed in cosplays from media that they love, like comics, anime, manga, TV, and Film, just brings everyone together,” says Barreto.
So, if you are someone who is a cosplay fanatic or would like to explore this artform, register online and be part of this rare event in Goa. Plus, you can join their telegram group for more updates or any queries.
WAIT! THERE’S MORE
Don’t forget to check out all the other activities lined up for the literary festival. From interactive sessions with writers to a Mandala art workshop, slam poetry competitions, dance workshops, and much more, it promises to be an informative and entertaining five-day experience. Head over to www.goabookfair.com for the full schedule and experience the stories unfold!
WHAT: Cosfest Goa 2025, The Goa Book Fair and Children’s Literature Festival
WHERE: Ravindra Bhavan, Fatorda-Goa
WHEN: March 2, 2025