panaji the numbers are staggering and we are not just talking of the rs 20 crore that the organizers have set aside for the three lusofonia games 2014 ceremonies the first was a curtain raiser event last month where the state government reportedly spent rs 25 crore and had the visiting acolop or the association of the portuguese speaking olympic committees officials looking in awe the mood was set at what was essentially the starter the lusofonia games opening ceremony on saturday at the nehru stadium in fatorda a three hour event that will start at 7pm will be the main course while the closing ceremony on january 29 will be the dessert a majority of the rs 20 crore budget plus taxes adds director of art and culture prasad lolayekar will be spent on the organizing committee there will be 800 school children 250 college students 450 folk performers 1800 artists on the ground and 3000 people directly or indirectly involved in the opening ceremony it will be a massive event said lolayekar the fa ceremonies head for the lusofonia games expectations are high even from the organizers who are hoping there will be a packed crowd of 19000 spectators the opening ceremony will depict goan culture lifestyle and environment he added bansi kaul is the brain behind the ceremonies but the celebrated theatre director expectedly did not reveal much i will not tell you what we have planed for the spectacle because the magic will be lost he said what he did reveal is that the magic will include a lot of ground projections depicting water and fauns special effects the worlds best sound system and indian monuments mounted on vehicles we have picked some of the best art forms in the country said kaul according to the organizers artists will perform dances depicting joy cultivation way of life seasons rituals and festivals in our cultural sphere multiple segments will be showcased in a representational way depicting the various occupations of goa colours of india magic of monsoons goa through mario mirandas eye and more rehearsals and putting together of huge prop fabrication models for the ceremonies is at full swing and international experts are working tirelessly to set up lights and projections in order to put up a breathtaking display of a wide array of programmes the organizers said in a statement