Prime Minister meets the first Timorese artist to represent the country at the prestigious Venice International Biennale
Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, accompanied by the Secretary of State for Art and Culture Jorge Soares Cristóvão, met with Maria Madeira, the first Timorese artist to represent the country at the Venice International Biennale, which will take place from April 20th to November 24th, 2024. The theme of this year's edition, the 60th, is "foreigners everywhere". The meeting occurred on March 4th, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia, where a Timorese delegation led by the Prime Minister is taking part in the Summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of Australia's dialogue partnership with ASEAN. 
During the meeting with the artist and her team, the Head of Government was presented with the work "Kiss and Don't Tell," which will be on display at the prestigious international exhibition of contemporary art that takes place every two years in the Italian city of Venice. Natalie King curates Timor-Leste's participation, which includes the participation of the artist Alfeu and other artists from the Arte Moris group.
The work "Kiss and Don't Tell" pays homage to the strength and resilience of Timorese women during the Indonesian occupation. Measuring around 25 square meters, the main piece on display was made with traditional materials such as betel nuts, soil and pigments. In addition to this work, other forms of artistic expression, such as installations, videos and performances, will be presented. 
The artist expressed her great pride in showing the preparations underway for this exhibition to the Prime Minister and the other members of the Government present. She especially highlighted the support of the Secretariat of State for Art and Culture throughout the process of preparing for this historic participation in the Venice Biennale. 
The Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel and Timor-Leste's Ambassador to Australia, Inês Almeida also took part in the meeting.
