Timor-Leste celebrates the 39th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence
Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Díli, November 28, 2014
Timor-Leste celebrates the 39th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence
On the 28th of November 1975, after some 400 years of colonial rule, Timor-Leste declared its independence. Today the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste commemorates the 39th Anniversary of that historic event.
Commemoration events will be conducted throughout the 13 districts of the nation.
In the district of Aileu the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Taur Matan Ruak, the President of National Parliament, His Excellency Vincente Guterres, the Prime Minister, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, the President of the Court of Appeal, His Excellency Guilhermino da Silva, and the General Secretary of FRETILIN, His Excellency Dr. Mari Alkatiri, will participate together in a National Flag Raising Ceremony.
Dr. Alkatiri, one of the founders of FRETILIN and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and current General Secretary of FRETILIN, will read the Text of the Proclamation of the Independence of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste which was first read on November 28th 1975 by Francisco Xavier do Amaral, the first President of the Republic.
In a ceremony preceding the Proclamation Day on the 27th of November the President of the Republic awarded medals to those Timorese who risked their lives by hiding the highest leaders of the Resistance including those who hid Resistance leader and current Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
