Goa’s Iconic Crumbling Tower to Host Indo-German Orchestra

Panaji, Jan 4 (IANS) One of the most spectacular architectural relics in Goa, the crumbling St. Augustine tower in the 16th-century heritage Old Goa Church complex, will host its first musical event -- a German orchestra organised by an Indo-German cultural organisation.

"This is the first time in India that a concert of this scale will take place at a world heritage site. The orchestra will be conducted by renowned German violinist and conductor Ulf Klausenitzer," Indo-German Educational and Cultural Society's Goa vice president Lisa Dias-Noronha said at a press conference on Monday.

The performance is being organised in association with the Archaeological Survey of India, which is tasked with preserving the heritage site.

At 46 metres, the St. Augustine tower is one of the most spectacular monuments in Goa.

The tower's crumbling facade is the remains of what was once one of Goa's largest buildings and housed the Augustinian monastery, which was a part of the 16th century Old Goa church complex built by the Portuguese and is a Unesco world heritage site.

The orchestra -- to be organised on January 7 evening -- is part of the Indo-German Confluence IV in collaboration with the directorate of art and culture, German Music Council, the Institute Menezes Braganca and the ASI.

This is the fourth edition of the Indo-German Confluence, which was formed to build bridges between Indian and German musicians.