DILI, 25 august 2022 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste Businesswomen Association (AEMTL), together with the Fugonti Production House and Bebonuk Community organized a three-day exhibition of the cultural crafts and Tais clothes to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the Consultation Popular Day. The three-day exhibition will contribute to promoting peace in the Bebonuk neighborhoods.
The Coordinator Committee of the Exhibition, Maria Carla Tilman said that the three-day exhibition is organized to commemorate the Popular Consultation Day to promote peace in Bebonuk village, one of the most conflict villages in Dili.
“We need to promote Bebonuk as a peaceful village by engaging more young people in the production of the cultural crafts and Tais clothes. The three-day exhibition is set to take place from august 25 to 27,” Tilman said at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, at the office of AEMTL, in Dili, today.
The president of AEMTL, Hergui Luina Alves said that the exhibition aimed to promote cultural crafts and tais clothes produced by the Bebonuk community: “All of the tais clothes and cultural crafts are produced by the Bebonuk community. Because we want to promote this conflict village to become a peaceful and productive village.”
The Director General of the Community and Cultural Tourism of the Ministry of Tourism, Trade, and Industry (MoTTI), Jelino Soares also highlighted the role of the development of community tourism in promoting peace and stability in the community.
“The exhibition of the cultural crafts and Tais clothes is important to improve the local community economy,” he added.
The Head of Bebonuk village, Serafin Masedo thanked AEMTL and Fugonti Production House for choosing the Bebonuk community to promote their cultural crafts and Tais clothes: “I would like to call on all parties to visit and experience the current situation in Bebonuk village. Bebonuk village that we know today is peaceful, unlike the one we used to know several years ago.”
The Director of Futus Furaq, Sandra Alves do Rego said that her group had taught many women about Tais Clothes Design in Bebonuk: “Involving more young people in the fashion design is important to help Timorese talented women and young girls to make money. It will contribute to restoring and promoting peace in the community.”
On august 30, 1999, with courage and determination, the Timorese people expressed their wish for the independence of their territory.
On september 4, 1999, UN officials announced in Dili that the people of East Timor voted by 78.5 percent for independence and rejected the proposed special autonomy within Indonesia.
Therefore, Popular Consultation Day is considered one of Timor-Leste’s historic days. This day commemorates every year to remember the referendum that took place on august 30, 1999, which paved the way for independence from Indonesia.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
