DILI, 16 february 2026 (TATOLI) – President of the Republic, Jose Ramos-Horta met today, with the Secretary of State for Art and Culture, Jorge Soares Cristóvão, to discuss the nation’s upcoming participation in the prestigious Venice Biennale.
During the audience, the President officially accepted an invitation to travel to Italy to preside over the grand opening of the Timor-Leste pavilion. The Head of State expressed his enthusiastic support for the initiative, noting the importance of representing the country at one of the world’s most significant contemporary art forums.
Jorge Cristóvão briefed the President on the exhibition’s curation, which aims to promote Timorese identity and indigenous mother tongues on the global stage. Building on the success of previous years, which attracted over 25,000 international visitors, this year’s pavilion will showcase a unique fusion of traditional and modern artistry. The exhibit features the sacred Tais textiles and dadolin (poetic chants), highlighting the work of master weaver Maria Verônica alongside the innovative contributions of young Timorese artists Edson Caminha and Juventino Pereira.
President Ramos-Horta emphasized that Timor-Leste’s presence at the Biennale is a vital opportunity to share the nation’s rich history and environmental consciousness with a global audience. By integrating ancestral traditions with contemporary filmmaking and art, the President noted that the pavilion serves as a bridge between generations, showcasing the creative resilience of the Timorese people and their commitment to cultural preservation in the 21st century.
TATOLI
