National Fair in Tasi-Tolu Marks the 24th Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence
On May 17th, 2026, at Tasi-Tolu Square in Dili, President José Ramos-Horta, and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão officially opened the National Fair as part of the celebrations marking the 24th anniversary of the Restoration of Timor-Leste’s Independence. 
The celebrations will take place from May 17th to 20th under the theme “Together we will build a country that is increasingly just, inclusive, and resilient” and will include official ceremonies, cultural activities, a local food fair, and concerts in Tasi-Tolu.
At the official opening of the National Fair, the President of the Republic delivered a brief message to the public, expressing gratitude to the organising committee and all participants. José Ramos-Horta also congratulated the Timorese, both in the country and abroad, on the anniversary of the Restoration of Independence, and invited the public to visit the fair.
The Minister of State Administration and Chair of the Organising Committee, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, stated that May 20th “is not just a date on the calendar,” but “a symbol of the sacrifice, the dream, and the determination of the Timorese people to be free and sovereign.”
The commemorative programme continues on May 19th, with a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Dili Cathedral, followed by the laying of flowers in honour of the National Heroes at the Santa Cruz Cemetery.
On May 20th, the flag-raising and flag-lowering ceremonies for the National Flag will be held at Tasi-Tolu Square. The flag-raising ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. with the honour guard forming, followed by the arrival of high-ranking state officials and the raising of the National Flag at 9 a.m. The flag-lowering ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m.
The programme concludes on May 20th with the closing of the Local Cuisine Fair and a concert starting at 6 p.m. in Tasi-Tolu.
The fair features 81 culinary groups and 72 artisans and producers, to promote local products and create opportunities for the community to participate in the economy.
Representatives of sovereign bodies, members of the National Parliament, members of the government, representatives of the F-FDTL and the PNTL, local communities, and international guests, including ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and representatives from Australia, Indonesia, and the CPLP, attended the opening ceremony.
The opening of the fair featured performances by cultural groups and “moradores” (a folk group portraying local residents associated with the Portuguese colonial administration who may have served in military, auxiliary, and territorial defence roles, forming part of the local power networks) from Uatocarbau Administrative Post in the municipality of Viqueque.
