Government organizes activities to celebrate Proclamation of Independence Day
Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Dili, November 25th, 2016
Government organizes activities to celebrate Proclamation of Independence Day
On Monday the 28th of November Timor-Leste will celebrate the 41st anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence. The Government is supporting events throughout the country with a focus this year on events occurring in Los Palos in the municipality of Lautem. In 1975, on the 28th of November, after over 400 years of colonial rule, the Text of the Proclamation of the Independence of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste was read out by the first President of the Republic, H.E. Francisco Xavier do Amaral.
Celebratory events include a National Fair in Los Palos on the 25th, 26th and 27th of November organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to ‘promotes local products to strengthen the national economy.’ Government Ministers are set to attend the Fair which includes cultural and musical presentations, competitions in weaving, basketwork, handicrafts, angling and school work.
On the 27th and 28th of November the Organizing Committee for the Proclamation Day celebrations, led by Minister of State, Coordinator of State Administration Affairs and Justice and Minister of State Administration, H.E. Dionísio Babo Soares, have prepared a three part program which includes a Mass of Thanksgiving on the afternoon of the 27th, and two official ceremonies on the Proclamation of Independence day at the Headquarters of the F-FDTL in Los Palos.
On the 28th of November, starting at 8 o'clock in the morning, the first ceremony begins with the raising of the National Flag. This event includes a military parade, the reading the text of the Proclamation of Independence, the conferral of the Order of Timor-Leste to honored recipients by the President of the Republic H.E. Taur Matan Ruak and the presentation of prizes to the winners of the "Nutrition Award Competition". Along with the President of the Republic, H.E. Taur Matan Ruak, the ceremony is scheduled to include the Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, the President of the National Parliament, H.E. Adérito Hugo da Costa, and the President of the Court of Appeal, H.E. Guilhermino da Silva. The second ceremony will be the official ceremony of the lowering of the National Flag.
Government Spokesperson, Minister of State Agio Pereira said “on the day of the Proclamation of our Independence we celebrate a milestone day in our history and reflect on a proud day which saw the expression of our ‘highest aspirations’ for freedom and self-determination. We take the opportunity to reflect on the journey of our struggle for independence and recommit to our journey of development. ”ENDS
