The Sunset Fair Stallholders Family on 20th October - In Photos

Traditional Timorese regalia from Hametin Cultura Ermera (above) and a gorgeous selection of tais - hand woven textiles - (below)

The aptly-named Handicraft Shop

Bom Petisco Restaurant

The ladies from the Associacao Empresarios Mulheres de Timor-Leste show off their exquisite hand-embroidered tablecloths (above) - detail below

Arte Moris have some lovely greeting cards based on the students' artwork

Signora Olivia Serrao setting up the display of basket work from Maubara

The Dili Beach Hotel team take a breather before the crowds flock in

Venture Hotel keep it sweet and simple with a bowl of freshly-fried chips and a glass of sangria

Sheilla Caldas and friend demonstrate that the Bouncy Castle is not just for children - it's the ideal stressbuster for adults too

Luis from the Caz Bar (above) is selling oysters (below) like hot cakes, so to speak!

Rocky Construction firing up the BBQ for another lively night

They are called "Fifty Cents".... but they put in a million dollars' worth of effort - try their delicious BBQ squid

Every home should have one... or two... or three. Chloe and partner selling environmentally-friendly solar-powered lanterns. The little ones give enough light to read comfortably and the big ones can even charge your mobile phone. No more batteries..... ever!

 

Occasionally the adults allow the children to enjoy the bouncy castle.

Hafoti sell my favourite cassava and carrot chips and fine coconut oil, chili sauce and other great local products

Girasol bringing on the satay and katupa - get there early as they sell out every week

A helpful hint for mothers - buy the children the ice cream from Blue Ocean AFTER they have been in the bouncy castle. All that jumping up and down..... you can imagine why.

KIRSTY SWORD GUSMAO BECOMES PATRON OF THE SUNSET FAIR (FEIRA LOKRAIK)

The Dili Sunset Fair Organising Committee is delighted to announce that Kirsty Sword Gusmao has agreed to become the Patron of the event.

Ms. Sword Gusmao said that she was looking forward to participating in the project: “I am happy and proud to be associated with the Sunset Fair (Feira Lokraik), a significant initiative on the Timor-Leste tourism calendar and a unique forum for the promotion and show-casing of our nation's natural beauty and man-made riches. The Sunset Fair offers an exciting glimpse of the diversity of sights, sounds, tastes, cultures and influences that make up our small but beautiful young nation” 

Ms. Sword Gusmao, who is the wife of Prime Minister Xanana Kay Rala Gusmao, is a Goodwill Ambassador for Education, Chairperson of the UNESCO National Commission for Timor-Leste and Chairwoman of the Alola Foundation,  (http://www.alolafoundation.org/), which has become one of Timor-Leste’s most effective  NGOs, engaging in an impressive range of activities in maternal and child health, education, and in empowering women through advocacy and livelihoods initiatives.

The Alola Foundation will have a handicrafts stall at the Sunset Fair,  which runs every Wednesday evening from October 6th to December 15th from 5pm to 10pm at Kristu Rei Beach in Dili, Timor-Leste.

Ms Sword Gusmao explained that events like the Sunset Fair can have far-reaching positive effects on the country as a whole:  “Tourism development benefits all sectors of our society, but particularly women given the vital role they play in the hospitality, service and handicraft industries. And livelihoods for women translate into good health for families, education for children, a brighter future for us all!"

Fuan Nabilan, Anima Audian and Manu Mata to perform at Sunset Fair: re-opening Wednesday, October 6th

The Sunset Fair is back!  Come down to Kristu Rei this Wednesday, October 6th (5pm to 10pm) to enjoy a full bill of entertainment, food and handicraft stalls as you watch the sun set.

Fuan Nabilan Singers

One of this week's highlights is the Fuan Nabilan group who will be launching their new CD at the Sunset Fair.  The musicians who recorded the album are young people who are blind andattend the Fuan Nablilan Education Centre for blind and vision-impaired people in Same, Manufahi, Timor-Leste.

The 11 original songs are in Tetun, and are accompanied by acoustic guitars and traditional drums. The songs were composed by Joaquim da Costa Tavares (nickname Quim TV) a volunteer worker at the Centre, who also performs on some songs. Further information about Fuan Nabilan is available at http://fuannabilan.infoxchange.tl/ or join the Fuan Nabilan Facebook group at
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=128394157171014

The Tetum lyrics to the songs on the Fuan Nabilan CD have been uploaded to the website of Timor Leste State Secretariat of Culture: see 

http://www.cultura.gov.tl/sites/default/files/JCTavares_Knanuk_Murak_timor_leste_2009.pdf

Also on Wednesday's  bill are children's entertainers Anima Audian and the Manu Mata Dance Group.

We'll have the bouncy castle again (thank you Venture/ESSET) which is a huge hit with kids and parents alike (the parents relax, the children bounce). 

And of course, all your favourite food stalls - international and Timorese - as well as top quality local handicrafts.  

See you down there!