Restoration of Independence celebrated
Timor Leste students celebrate their restoration of Independence
The highlight of ELTO Week nine was the chance to celebrate a very significant day with ELTOs from Timor-Leste – their Restoration of Independence.
On Sunday 19 May Students studying in Wellington from Timor-Leste hosted an event to celebrate Timor -Leste’s restoration of Independence day which falls on 20 May.
They prepared food, dances and songs. Mass was held in the Roman Catholic Cathedral . The students sang songs in three languages; Tetum language, English and Portuguese. After the mass, they celebrated in Connelly Hall. They invited many people - teachers, ELTO programme participants, friends and other people who have worked in or visited Timor-Leste.
ELTO Timor-Leste country leader, Mr Orlando Sarmento from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation made a speech at the event. Afterwards he expressed his appreciation that the ELTO students had come to the ceremony.
“We are honoured and thank you all for the cooperation and solidarity. This is part of our working and linking together in the future,” he said.
Thi Le Phuong Hoang from Vietnam said it was the highlight of her week:
“They celebrated the day in a big hall with a lot of friends from different countries. They prepared very carefully, including decorations, food, and performances. I really liked the cake which had Timor Leste’s flag colours - black, yellow, red and white. My friends from Timor danced very well.”
Timor-Leste was colonised by Portugal in the 16th century, and was known as Portuguese Timor until Portugal's decolonisation of the country. In late 1975, Timor Leste declared its independence, but later that year was invaded and occupied by Indonesia and was declared Indonesia's 27th province the following year. In 1999, following the United Nations-sponsored act of self-determination, Indonesia relinquished control of the territory and Timor-Leste became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century on May 20, 2002.
