Díli, July 17, 2025 – The Vice Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (VMAP), representing the Prime Minister (PM) and the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (MPCM), expressed sincere appreciation to the Administration Board, Executive Board, and all Centro Chega! staff for their creativity and productivity demonstrated within 8 days. This recognition was conveyed during the Closing Ceremony of the 8th Anniversary of Centro Chega! and the Popular Resistance Culture Festival, held at Dili Port on Friday, July 17, 2025.

The Vice Minister commended the diverse events organized within eight days, including a seminar, book launch, panel discussion on collective memories and reconciliation, the launch of Centro Chega!’s 2024 annual report, contract signings with scholarship recipients, a Memorandum of Understanding with France Cooperation, mural painting, book talks, a book fair, a photography exhibition, a reconciliation film screening, children’s art activities, live music performances, and a Mass of Thanksgiving.

The VMPA emphasized, “These activities are well organized. These motivate us to see Chega! as an ideal space for creativity, productivity, and intelligence from the people of Timor—men and women alike—to bring state institutions to this moment.” On behalf of the government, I recommend that the Board Administration, Executive, and staff of Centro Chega! continue generating creative ideas. The State of Timor-Leste established Chega! to preserve memories and carefully foster hope for a better future.

Meanwhile, Hugo Maria Fernandes, Executive Director of Centro Chega!, explained that during 8 years of existence, Centro Chega! carried out the works under the supervision of 4 Prime Ministers, from the period of Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, Dr. Mari Bin Amude Alkatiri, HE Taur Matan Ruak, and HE Kayrala Xanana Gusmão. As Timorese, we are proud to work directly with Timorese leaders. On behalf of Centro Nacional Chega!, we thank government institutions, Youth Resistance Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, and all groups for their participation in making this event a success. We look forward to welcoming you again next year.

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