DILI, 21 may 2022 (TATOLI) – President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa described Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum (AMRT) as a living museum.
Rebelo made the comments after visiting Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum (AMRT), in Dili, on saturday (21/05).
Rebelo regarded his visit to AMRT as a unique experience because those guerrillas who were involved in the war are still alive to tell their own stories at the Museum.
“It was an emotional moment because this museum is unlike any other museum I’ve been to. This museum is described by those who were involved in the various historical events in the past but are still alive today”, said President Rebelo.
He said AMRT shows the strength of the Timorese people in fighting for independence: “I was intrigued by the statue of a Timorese who jumped into the US Embassy in Jakarta to save his life. It shows the strength of Timorese resistance and courage in fighting for freedom and democracy and we felt a little bit of it in Portugal too.”
Rebelo stressed that through such a museum, the new generation will easily get to understand the fight for freedom, and democracy: “It has to be permanently remembered. This museum is a living museum.”
A Timorese guerilla, Jose Agostinho Sequeira ‘Somotxo’ and Timorese former diplomat, Jose Luis Guterres were present at the Rebelo’s visit to describe their accounts and involvement in Timor-Leste’s 24-year resistance against Indonesian occupation.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
