Dili, 16 July 2025 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste is set to host FITUN FEST – Festival Internacional Timor-Leste Único, a week-long cultural celebration that will run from 20 to 25 July 2025, coinciding with the 12th CPLP Sports Games. The festival aims to showcase the country’s rich cultural identity and promote cultural exchange among Portuguese-speaking nations.
Organized by the Association of Entrepreneurship and Cultural Management (AEGCTL), FITUN FEST will take place at the Presidential Palace in Dili from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily, offering a vibrant mix of music, gastronomy, traditional games, and artistic performances.
FITUN FEST is more than a celebration—it serves as a symbolic celebration of the history, quality, and identity of Timorese people around the world and aims to promote the country’s development.
The event will feature daily performances, exhibitions, and culinary showcases, fostering stronger people-to-people connections and underscoring the importance of cultural diplomacy.
The year 2025 will be an important milestone for Timor-Leste, with highlights such as the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Unilateral Proclamation of Independence of RDTL, the hosting of the 12th CPLP Sports Games, and Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.
The event positions Timor-Leste as a unique space of convergence between the Lusophone world and Southeast Asia, providing a historic opportunity for the reestablishment of its cultural identity and the affirmation of its role as a bridge between culture and civilization.
The festival is expected to attract hundreds of visitors, including athletes, artists, government officials, and international guests attending the CPLP Games, positioning Timor-Leste as a hub for regional cultural engagement.
Opening Ceremony – 20 July 2025
The festival will officially open with a cultural program honoring Timor-Leste’s heritage and CPLP unity:
16:00–17:00 | Arrival of Guests
17:05–17:10 | Opening Ritual: Lian na’in Dili (Traditional Chant “Uma Lisan Karketu”), accompanied by Karau Dikur and Dadolin
17:10–17:15 | Presentation of the ceremonial Lok Bua Malus to special guests
17:15–17:35 | Musical performance by Noise Project – Etson Caminha
17:35–17:40 | Remarks by Mirabila F. Sarmento, President of AEGCTL
17:40–17:50 | Speech by Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Nelyo Isaac Sarmento
17:50–18:00 | Address by President José Ramos-Horta
18:00–18:10 | Official opening ceremony led by the President of the Republic, with ASEAN Vice Minister Milena da Costa Rangel as honorary patron
18:10–19:10 | Guided visit to CPLP traditional games and exhibitor stands
19:00–20:00 | Culinary tasting session: “Flavors of the CPLP”
20:00–22:00 | Live music performances by Ego Lemos and Dili Soul Band
TATOLI
