Friday, November 25, 2022
The government in Catholic-majority Timor-Leste organized the first music and cultural fiesta comprising contestants from across the country. This is part of an effort for tourism promotion and diversifying sources of income.
The festival was held on Atauro Island, north of Dili, from Nov. 21 to 24. It was attended by President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, accompanied by 14 ambassadors from various countries like the United States, Australia, France, Brazil, Brunei, Darussalam, Thailand and the European Union.
Over 3,000 individuals from 13 municipalities were present, together with representatives from Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province who live in the western part of Timor island and share cultural resemblances.
President Ramos-Horta inaugurated the festival and said that Atauro will be turned into into a global tourism destination.
He said that the people of Atauro must protect this land, plant many trees and flowers, and also upkeep this marine environment. Atauro needs to become the kind of place that lures more tourists.
Ramos-Horta further guaranteed that the festival would be frequently organized as “the biggest art show in Timor-Leste” for luring tourists from other countries.
Domingas Ximenes of the Watulela tribe in Atauro expressed thankfulness that the festival was held on the island after its induction as a municipality in January.
He said that it will deliver a chance for the local people to display their culture and advertise their handiworks to visitors.
