Dili – (10th of December 2023), Centro Nacional Chega! I.P. worked with Venu Association to organize the Popular Resistance Culture Festival, “War, Memory, and Trauma to Hope” from the 7th-10th of December 2023 (4-day) in Dili.
The three principles of the Memory Stage, Scare Stage, and Hope Stage completed this festival came up with craftsmanship, creative arts, musical concert, literacy of the history, mainly Chega! Tour, Live Painting, Tattoos, and other activities create the healing effect.
At the closure ceremony, the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (OMRJ/PDHJ) said the Popular Resistance Culture Festival was the means to enlighten people to leave the past and move on, mainly young people.
“To the young people, these days we are obliged with courageous saying, move on! Even if it truly means back in the past, we suffered and hurt, we should not think back anymore. We must move on! People said we might forgive but not to forget the trauma and hurting of the past”, the Ombudsman for Human Rights And Justice, Virgilio da Silva Guterres “Lamukan” in his remarks on the closing ceremony of the Popular Resistance Culture Festival in Dili Port.
The importance of this festival is for all, mainly how young people learn to leave the past and “Move On.” We are aware of the various suffering and difficulties people faced as some were killed and tortured, yet none of the stolen have come home at this time.
Even though we have faced various challenges in the past, after 48 years of independence, we must leave the past situation. The past sufferings faced will be the memory and scars. These are should not going to be remembered anymore. We must move on!
The Ombudsman explained the conducted activities by Centro Chega! and the partners as a part of the 75th International Day of Human Rights commemoration under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the 10th of December 2023.
The 10th of December is the International Day for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Many organizations, mainly the Nobel Peace Committee Institute or the organization that contributed a lot to human rights, choose to receive a figure award.
“In Timor-Leste, not to forget back 27 years, Father Belo and Dr. José Ramos Horta received Nobel Peace Prizes for their fight and commitments contributed to the affirmation and promotion of the rights of humanities”, he informed.
Hence, make the most of this closure tonight, as the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice would like to appreciate all parties that organized the 4-day event. All the commemorated events are in the context of remembering the human rights infringements faced in the past by our relatives and parents to sacrifice themselves for liberty and to take self-determination at present.
So, those of us who are still alive, mainly young people are here, must respect human rights by enjoying liberty and independence responsibly. Only this means we might appreciate our heroes, parents and relatives, and youths who died in the past and contributed to our self-determination.
On behalf of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, we appreciate Centro Nacional Chega! I.P and the partners succeeded in taking us here this evening.
“To the Director, Hugo, and the Excellency, next year, after the 28th of November, we can commence the exhibition, artistic presentation, and lots more – the closure will be on the 14th of December as a Tais National Day as well, and this activity will be held in Dili to make Dili becomes green and amazing according to the song of Tony Pereira”, he affirmed.
A song by Tony Pereira, “Dili is the city land who does not know. If you do not believe this, come close here, the thriving flowers of coastal trees that make Dili green. Dili City, who is more beautiful than you.”
(Media CNC)