Xanana Gusmão and Pedro Passos Coelho inaugurated the CPLP Book Fair
The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmão and the Prime Minister and Portugal, Pedro Passos Coelho, along with the Minister of Education of Timor-Leste, Bendito Freitas, the Rector of the University of Timor-Leste (UNTL), Aurélio Guterres and the President of Camões - Institute for Cooperation and Language, Ana Paula Laborinho, inaugurated, on July 22, the CPLP Book Fair, at Dili Convention Center.
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão began by noting "Timor-Leste is the country with more challenges in the Portuguese language" recalling that "for 24 years the Portuguese language was prohibited".
The Prime Minister recalled the commitment of the Timorese Government on the issue of the Portuguese language, with either the Ministry of Education or the UNTL, engaged in teacher training, and has even anticipate that Timor-Leste will host in 2016, the III International Conference on the Future of Portuguese Language in the World System.
The two Heads of Government issued a symbolic delivery of books to seven Timorese institutions, and Xanana Gusmão launched the book "Timor-Leste 365 steps to the heart", written by Cristina Macrino and Sara Montes.
Were also present at the inauguration of the CPLP Book Fair, among others, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal, Luís Campos Ferreira, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Paulo Cordeiro de Andrade Pinto.
The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, took the opportunity to pay a heartfelt tribute to Father Felgueiras and Father Martins, who were present at the ceremony, for the support they have dedicated, for many years, to Timor-Leste.
The CPLP Book Fair will be open from the 23rd to the 26th of July, from 9am to 7pm, and during the 23rd and the 24th sales will be limited to Timorese citizens.
