The Rabilau Festival, which takes place between October 16th and 18th, is a cultural and sporting event that celebrates the rich traditions of Timor-Leste. Activities include folk dance competitions, Kore-Metan music and digital arts. This festive event also includes the presentation of rituals from traditional cultures. There is also a programme of various sports, such as yoga, mountaineering and hiking. The public will be able to enjoy food, craft and healthcare markets.

15/10/2024
No. | Time | Activities | Place / Responsible
1. 08:00 | Preparation of the Cultural Ritual by the Organising Committee in collaboration with the Lia-na’in of the 13 Municipalities.
2. 08:30 | Start of the Cultural Ritual Ceremony by the Lia-na’in.
3. 10:00 | Preparation of the Reception and Registration of the Municipalities’ Groups and installation in their places.
4. 19:00 | Opening of the Kore-Metan Music and Folk Dance competitions.
○ Start of the presentation by the MC.
○ Brief words from the Rabilau Festival’s top counsellor.
○ Brief introduction of the Competition criteria by the Jury.
5. 19:00 | The groups taking part in the Kore-Metan Music and Folk Dance competition are as follows:
○ Brief introduction by the MC and start of the call for competing groups.
Entertainment by SEAC’s ArtCoustic Musical Group
● 19:35 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the Municipality of Covalima.
● 19:50 | Folkloric Dance Group from the Municipality of Ainaro.
● 19:55 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the Municipality of Dili.
● 20:00 | Folkloric Dance Group from the Municipality of Covalima.
● 20:05 | Jury comments (5 minutes).
Animation by solo artist
● 20:15 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the Municipality of Ainaro.
● 20:25 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the Municipality of Baucau.
● 20:35 | Folkloric Dance Group from the Municipality of Dili.
● 20:40 | Folkloric Dance Group from the Municipality of Bobonaro.
● 20:45 | Jury comments (5 minutes).
Entertainment by a local band
● 20:55 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the Municipality of Bobonaro.
● 21:00 | Folkloric Dance Group from the Municipality of Aileu.
● 21:10 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the Municipality of Aileu.
● 21:15 | Folkloric Dance Group from the Municipality of Baucau.
Jury comments (5 minutes).
● 21:25 | Entertainment by a national band.
● 22:00 | Jury announces the results of the knockout stage.
16/10/2024
No. | Schedule | Activities
1. 08:00 | Preparation of the Ceremony for the reception of His Excellency the President of the Republic, and all Delegations, including VVIP personalities and Special Guests, national and international.
2. 09:00 | Children’s Place: Inauguration of the mobile library and children’s programmes.
3. 10:30 | Opening speech by the Minister of Education.
4. 11:00 | Storytelling session by the Haktuir Ai-knanoik group.
5. 12:00 | Lunch with music for the children by the Maubisse Group.
6. 14:00 | Children’s dance performance by the Maubisse Group: PICOMMA altar boys
7. 16:00 | Youth Music Performance by the Maubisse Group. Children’s Cultural Group.
8. 17:00 | VIP Guests Welcome Ceremony accompanied by Cultural Dance and Poetry by Ataúro Students. Betel and areca chewing ceremony by the Lia-na’in.
9. 18:00 | Welcome and brief presentation on Ainaro by the Mayor of Ainaro.
10. 18:05 | Speech on the Timor-Leste Tourism Promotion Programme 2024 (PPTTL 2024), namely the Rabilau Festival component, by the President of the Organising Committee (Eng. Mariano Sabino).
11. 18:30 | Brief remarks by the Prime Minister, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
12. 18:10 | Message from His Excellency the President of the Republic and Official Opening of the Rabilau Festival 2024.
13. 19:00 | Dinner – A visit to the stalls and the start of the music and dance performances on the stage.
14. 19:30 | Cultural Colossal Dance.
15. 19:35 | Presentation by the Embassy Group.
16. 19:55 | The groups taking part in the competition and entertainment are as follows:
● 20:00 | Entertainment by local band.
● 20:10 | Lautém simulation.
● 20:15 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the Municipality of Ermera.
● 20:20 | Folkloric Dance Group from the Municipality of Lautém.
● 20:25 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the Municipality of Oe-Cússe.
● 20:30 | Folkloric Dance Group of the Municipality of Viqueque
● Jury comments (5 minutes)
● 20:40 | Animation by a solo artist.
● 20:50 | Comic Artist (stand-up comedy).
● 21:00 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the municipality of Manatuto.
● 21:05 | Folk dance group from the municipality of Oe-Cússe.
● 21:10 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the Municipality of Lautém.
● 21:16 | Folk Dance Group from the Municipality of Manatuto.
● 21:20 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the Municipality of Liquiçá.
● Jury comments (5 minutes).
● 21:30 | Entertainment by a local band.
● 21:40 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the municipality of Viqueque.
● 21:45 | Folk Dance Group from the Municipality of Manufahi.
● 21:50 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the Municipality of Manufahi.
● 21:55 | Folk dance group from the municipality of Ermera.
● 22:00 | Kore-Metan Music Group from the Municipality of Liquiçá
● Entertainment by a national band
● Jury comments (5 minutes)
● Announcement of the results of the elimination phase by the jury.


17/10/2024
No. | Schedule | Activities
1. 08:30 | Opening of activities: Sport for all (including Yoga, Aerobics, Climbing, Cycling, Traditional sports activities).
2. 09:00 | Children’s music workshop by the Lolobremu Group.
3. 10:00 | Children’s theatre by the Filteda Group.
4. 11:00 | Children’s Fashion Show (VMA Look).
5. 15:30| Performance of Pantomina by the Filteda Theatre Group.
6. 16:00 | Fusion of jazz and traditional music by the Lolobrema Quartet.
7. 16:30 | Cultural Group: Social Inclusion PR.
8. 16:45 | Miracle Group: UNTL Dance.
9. 17:00 | Choral Group of the Presidency of the Republic.
10. 18:00 | Cinema for children and families.
11. 19:10 | Evening Session:
● The groups taking part in the competition and entertainment are as follows:
● 19:15 | Traditional Mambae Simulation.
● 19:20 | Traditional Songs; UNTL.
Final stage of the competition:
● 19:30 | Kore-Metan Music Group of the Municipality.
● 19:35 | Municipal Folk Dance Group.
● 19:40 | Kore-Metan Music Group of the Municipality.
● 19:45 | Municipal Folk Dance Group.
● Jury comments (5 minutes).
● 20:05 | Entertainment by a solo artist.
● 20:10 | Comic Artist (stand-up comedy).
● 20:15 | Kore-Metan Music Group.
● 20:20 | Folk Dance Group.
● 20:25 | Kore-Metan Music Group.
● 20:30 | Folk Dance Group.
● 20:45 | Kore-Metan Music Group.
● 20:50 | Folk Dance Group.
● 20:55 | Kore-Metan Music Group.
● 21:00 | Folk Dance Group.
● 21:30 | Entertainment by national band
● 22:00 | Announcement of the results of the Final Phase by the Jury
● 22:30 | Entertainment (Electronic Music / Commercial Music)

18/10/2024

No. | Schedule | Activities
08:00 | Registration for Participants and Discovery Walk on Mount Rabilau.
11:00 | Children’s Choir: Performance by the Maubisse Group.
12:00 | Lunch with a musical performance by the Maubisse children’s group.
15:00 | Children’s theatre by the Alem Timor group.
16:00 | Youth dance performance by the Maubisse Group.
17:00 | UNTL Youth Choir – Miracle Group.
18:00 | Cinema for children and families.
19:00 | Cultural Evening Programme: Opening by MC.
19:10 | Presentation of 3rd place in Kore-Metan Music and 3rd place in Folk Dance.
19:30 | Comic Artist (stand-up comedy).
19:35 | Lighting show by Thomas Henning and Timorese friends.
19:50 | Presentations by International Groups (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Cuba, USA, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, etc.).
20:30 | Dinner and acoustic music.
20:45 | Presentation of 2nd place in Kore-Metan Music and 2nd place in Folk Dance.
21:00 | Traditional RAEOA Simulation.
21:10 | Presentation of 1st place in Kore-Metan Music and 1st place in Folk Dance.
21:20 | Awarding Prizes and Certificates.
21:30 | Official Closing of the Rabilau Festival: President of the Republic.
20:00 | Comic Artist (stand-up comedy).
20:10 | Entertainment by Local and National Artists.
23:00 | Entertainment with Electronic Music / Commercial Music (DJ).