"Park and Ride" : take the Sunset Fair Shuttle bus from Lecidere, near Lita Store!

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Closing night for the Sunset Fair 2011 season: President Jose Ramos-Horta and fireworks

President Jose Ramos Horta with
the National Director of Tourism, Jose Quintas
President Jose-Ramos Horta participated in the closing ceremony for the Sunset Fair on Friday (December 16), enjoying an evening of local entertainment and handing out Certificates of Appreciation to some of the 2011 season's outstanding stallholders.  Style Band, a new Timorese ensemble, played a good repertoire of classic hits, whilst Cultura Millennium Tais performed a programme of traditional Timorese dances. 

The 2011 Sunset Fair season has been notable for improvements in facilities on the ground, increased public attendance and some exciting entertainment, including movies from Cinema Lorosa'e. Certificates of Appreciation for 2011 were awarded to Belle Kria for Creativity in Handicrafts, Billfish Restaurant for Best Promotion of Local Foods and Venture Hotel for best attraction for children. The Maubara basket industry was also given a special certificate for their dedication to the Sunset Fair; the basket ladies have maintained their enthusiasm and creativity in spite of having to spend more than 2 hours travelling every week to participate. Camara Enterprises was given an award for achievements in the management of the Sunset Fair, in recognition of  improvements to infrastructure and entertainment in particular. 

Once the closing ceremonial was complete, Camara Enterprises also laid on one last, spectacular surprise: a beautiful fireworks display that lit up the sky around Kristu Rei, as a fitting end to a great Sunset Fair season. See you next year!  

A spectacular final sunset on closing night

Style Band

Free balloons for the children
Head of Tourism Promotion
Aquilino Caeiro summarises the Sunset Fair 2011 Season
The Sunset Fair has become Dili's most family-friendly event

National Tourism Director Jose Quintas:
"Next year will be even better".

Timorese talent: Cultura Millennium Tais

Dancers cradle candles in their hands
in this traditional dance. 

A dance routine with a Portuguese flavour...

...and some tricky moves!

The Sunset Fair's beloved bouncy castle
Thank you, Venture Hotel

Billfish restaurateur Ugo Lebre promotes
local fish and produce

Ugo Lebre and the Billfish team with their Certificate of Appreciation

Recognition for the Maubara basket industry 

Maubara baskets:  a favourite with Sunset Fair shoppers 


Belle Kria: Creativity

Belle Kria's stall: new ideas in needlework

President Jose Ramos-Horta presents a certificate to Alcides Camara

President Jose Ramos-Horta, Jose Quintas
with Alcides Camara and his staff






Thursday 15 December 2011

A great night's entertainment planned for the Sunset Fair closing night, Friday, December 16th

Don't miss the last night of the Sunset Fair season tonight! Great entertainment starting around 6pm from Style Band, Cultura Millennium Tais dancers, special guest artists, Anima Audian kids' entertainers, balloons, FIREWORKS! And it's a fantastic opportunity to do some last-minute Christmas shopping and enjoy good food in one of Dili's most spectacular locations. Celebrate Friday with us! TGIF!!

Tuesday 13 December 2011

Katon Bagaskara: a fantastic Indonesian night at Sunset Fair!

Indonesian cultural night at the Sunset Fair, with traditional dancing, Sasando Rote music and the fabulous Katon Bagaskara: what an entertainer!  

Katon Bagaskara wows the crowd at Sunset Fair

Traditional Sasando Rote music from West Timor




Thanks are due to the Secretary General of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy,  Mr.Wardiyatmo, who was on a visit to Dili to strengthen the cooperation between Indonesia and Timor-Leste in the tourism sector as well as preparing the signing of MoU between MTCI and Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy during the visit of Indonesia's President next year.

Secretary General of the Indonesian Ministry of
Tourism and Creative Economy, Mr.Wardiyatmo
The Indonesian delegation members numbered around 19, including Katon Bagaskara and other performers coming from Jakarta. 14 people including 3 DNT staff travelled to Baucau on the 9th Dec to visit the second largest city as well as to develop an understanding the tourism potential in that area. They went sightseeing at Wataba'o Beach, following up with the visit to Hospitality training School at the Canossian Sisters and lunch at Pousada Baucau. The objective of the delegation's visit and Katon's performance at the Sunset Fair, Cristo Rei was to strengthen people-to-people connections and to experience the local markets where the Secretary General bought Tais and a fruit basket for souvenirs.

The delegation left on the 10th December with Merpati after a courtesy call with the Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry, Mr. Gil Alves.
Mr.Wardiyatmo and delegation take a break from
souvenir shopping to pose for photos
Don't forget, next Friday, December 16th is the closing night at the Sunset Fair. It's a great opportunity to do some Christmas shopping and there will be plenty of entertainment. Watch this space for details!

Wednesday 7 December 2011

This Friday, December 9th: Katon Bagaskara at Sunset Fair. Don't miss it!


Special entertainment this week at Sunset Fair
From Indonesia: Katon Bagaskara
Plus Doqy Band
Indonesian dance performances
and an Indonesian movie!
Starting 1800hrs at Sunset Fair, Kristu Rei
With all your favourite stalls and restaurants....
a great opportunity to have fun and do your Christmas shopping!



See you there! TGIF!!



Monday 28 November 2011

Sunset Fair Patron, Kirsty Sword Gusmao visits: Xmas shopping ideas

The Sunset Fair is a great place to do a spot of Christmas shopping, with plenty of local handicrafts and products to choose from. Wander around the stalls, grab a bite to eat, a cold beer.... the most relaxed way to find original gifts for friends. Sunset Fair Patron, Kirsty Sword-Gusmao paid a visit with her family and enjoyed a "katupa" dinner.

 Our patron Kirsty Sword Gusmao arrives at the Sunset Fair

Kirsty and Mum enjoy some shopping

Beautiful traditional jewellery

You can never have too many "tais". They make ideal Christmas presents

Modestly-price small works of art... Arte Moris

Arte Moris: film and music DVDs

Books at Arte Moris

Checking out the drums

Hafoti has a good selection of  local handicrafts and products

Timor-Leste's famous sea salt on sale at Hafoti

Jasmine, coconut oil and sea salt body scrub by Hafoti

Timor-Leste Women Entrepreneurs - battery-powered toys

Timor-Leste Women Entrepreneurs - gift idea

Timor-Leste Women Entrepreneurs - modestly-priced gift ideas

Timor-Leste Women Entrepreneurs - pretty dolls' dresses

Idea: use these colourful hand-made mobiles from Maubara as
Christmas tree decorations... makes a change from plastic tinsel!

Christmas tree decorations from Belle Kria Women's Sewing group

Kirsty Sword-Gusmao enjoys a spot of dinner with the family:
three generations. Katupa rice parcels are a favourite!

Tasty satay

These are "Katupa" - rice parcels

Firing up the BBQ 

Visitors from Ireland tuck into a big, locally-caught fish at Billfish Restaurant

A moody sunset over Kristu Rei