Maliana – (15th of November 2023), Centro Nacional Chega!I.P with the Secretariat for States, Arts, and Culture, and the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture, organized the 2023 Border Festival, “Cultural Exchange to Strengthen Reconciliation.”
In the opening ceremony of the 2023 Festival, the Executive Director, Hugo Maria Fernandes, considered the 2023 Border Festival to make a new history and memory for Timor-Leste and Indonesia as the first time conducted in the Borderline and participated by the Timorese from NTT, Indonesia, and the Timorese from Timor-Leste itself.
The 2023 Border Festival was conducted based on the two reports’ recommendations, such as the report of the Commission for Reception, Truth, and Reconciliation (CAVR-Port acronym) and the report of the Commission on Truth and Friendship (CVA-Port acronym) between Timor-Leste and Indonesia.
“Tonight, we begin a new history and a new memory. This memory comes from Chega! and CVA reports between Timor-Leste and Indonesia. Both reports inquire Timor-Leste and Indonesia to see the cultural aspect as an important aspect to keep strengthening the relationship among people and both countries”, said the CNC Director in his remarks on the 2023 Border Festival opening ceremony at Football Station, Maliana, Bobonaro Municipality.
The director added, on the report of Chega! quoted the precious word from the declaration of the Peniche, Portugal, in 1998 “In Timor-Leste, which had been independent, children and youth must be our attention. Their education, health, respect for human rights, and love of peace—we must fertilize them to build Timor-Leste from the ashes.
The Peniche declaration in Portugal was done 25 years ago. It aimed to gather together all Timorese to keep mind and heart to one another, sharing kindness, and build Timor for a better thrive, a Timor that respects and loves the liberty of the people for their auto-determination.
Hugo argument, I am honored to stand in front of you, speaking at the 2023 Border Festival, “Cultural Exchange to Strengthen Reconciliation.” This festival was made because of good cooperation with the Secretariat for States, Arts, and Culture, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture, and the support of the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister.
“I feel honored to be standing in front of you this year because of the good cooperation with the Secretariat for States, Arts, and Culture to conduct this activity, and I thank the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture for the support. I also thank the President of the Republic and Prime Minister for the 2-month orientation,” Hugo thanked.
The 2023 Border Festival was realized to strengthen cultural engagement in the past. The island of Timor was only one during the ancestors’ time; after the decolonization, the geographical and political demarcation made the island of Timor separated into two, besides belonging to Indonesia, and herein is Timor-Leste. Despite the fact that we are under geographical and political demarcation, however, it has not become a barrier to our friendship.
At the 2023 Border Festival, Hugo said, “We bind the string from our ancestors back. There is no border between tradition and culture; there is no barrier between tradition and culture. For this reason, from tonight onwards, we are here together. In the coming years, we will keep our traditions and our culture to make our generations prosperous forever.”
“I thank my fellows from Timor Occidental, Indonesia; you have taken a 2-day trip from Kupang and Atambua to reach here. Today, I am happy to welcome you and my friends to Balibo. Even if it is a long trip, once you reach Balibo, you immediately dance, or “tebe.” Thank you so much for your kindness and support to be here,” he thanked.
I would also like to thank all the ministries and entities to be presented at this 2023 Border Festival in the Administrative Post of Maliana, Bobonaro. Your presence provided a huge strength for this event to be conducted effectively.
In the remark, the director of Chega! also quoted the words from the ex-President of the Republic and actual Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, who once conducted a public audience at CAVR: “The civilians still trust in each of us because we have the power of ability; when we put it together, we will make Timor much greater.”
(Media CNC)