Sunset Fair Closing Ceremony for 2010 Season - See you after the rains!

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao presided over the closing ceremony for the Sunset Fair's 2010 season at Kristu Rei on December 17th, with the Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry Gil Alves and several other government Ministers in attendance. Sunset Fair Patron Kirsty Sword Gusmao was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for her continuing support of the event and the Venture Hotel and the Associacao Empresarial das Mulheres de Timor-Leste were also given awards for their contribution over the past season. 

Boy Clemens topped the bill and the crowds were entertained by traditional dancing groups and a Timorese fashion show. Since its inauguration on September 11th, 2010, the Sunset Fair has become a Dili institution and a firm favourite with the public and the stallholders themselves. We'll be planning the new season - due to kick off after the rains - over the next few months and we already know it'll be bigger and better than last year. Watch this space for news and the announcement of the date of opening night in 2011! Thank you to everyone who took part: stallholders, sponsors, colleagues at MTCI and most of all the public, for making the Sunset Fair such a success. We look forward to meeting up again in a few months. 

The Prime Minister, family and government Ministers in the audience

Timor-Leste's Master of Ceremonies par excellence, Mr Anitu Matos

Dr Gil Alves, the Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry says a few words 

The Prime Minister and MTCI staff gearing up for presentation of Certificates of Appreciation

"This certificate is awarded to the Associacao Empresarial das Mulheres de Timor-Leste in recognition of its high standards of professionalism in participating in the Sunset Fair".

"This certificate is awarded to the Venture Hotel
in recognition of its contribution to the Sunset Fair’s
entertainment for children, with the installation of the “Bouncy Castle”.
 Secretary of State for Culture Virgilio Smith delivers the certificate.

Sunset Fair Patron Kirsty Sword Gusmao says a few words after receiving her certificate of appreciation
 for her work in support of the event

Boy Clemens performing at closing night (above) as young fans boogie (below) to the Sunset Fair's anthem: "Areia Branca".
We hope he'll be back later this year for the new season.

Sunset Fair sponsors Valsa Productions film the action for their piece on Timor-Leste "Contacto"

Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry Gil Alves - Speech at the Opening Ceremony for the Sunset Fair

Their Excellencies President Jose Ramos-Horta and Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry, Gil Alves, perform the opening ceremony for the Sunset Fair

"Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for joining us at tonight’s Grand Opening of the Dili Sunset Fair. From October 6th, the Sunset Fair will run every Wednesday throughout the dry season;  I believe that we will see it go from strength to strength to become a favourite fixture on the tourism events calendar.

It will serve as a showcase for international and domestic tourists to appreciate the range of food, entertainment and handicrafts available in this country.

This event is modeled on the hugely successful Mindil Sunset Beach Markets in Darwin and we are delighted to announce that the Mindil Markets Association will be acting as our partner in developing the Sunset Fair.

We are honoured to welcome a delegation from Darwin here tonight. They are going to be working with the Sunset Fair Association in the long term, sharing an impressive variety of skills and experience in support of their Timorese counterparts–everything from circus performance to fair administration and restaurant management .

I would like to thank them for their dedication and valuable contribution to private sector and tourism development in Timor-Leste.  Together we will work towards enhancing the creativity, diversity and quality of the products and experiences offered at the Sunset Fair.

I would also like to thank our sponsors, Airnorth, for facilitating the participation of the Mindil Sunset Markets Association. Airnorth is a steady supporter of tourism development in Timor-Leste, acting as a bridge between Dili and Darwin and as a ready partner in the increasing number of special events that are being staged to attract visitors to Timor-Leste.  

Airnorth’s slogan, “Together We Fly” symbolizes the growing relationship that Timor-Leste shares with the Northern Territory, as we work towards our common goals of prosperity and friendship.

 Thanks are also due to the Timorese entertainer Boy Clemens – who will be performing here tonight - and the television company Valsa Productions, for their creative contributions as Sunset Fair promotional sponsors.

The Sunset Fair is the result of the combined efforts of these partners and sponsors with those of the cross-sectoral Organising Committee, which has coordinated contributions from a diverse range of State and Civil society participants.  Under the auspices of the National Directorate of Tourism, the Organising Committee has demonstrated that good teamwork can produce impressive results.

This exciting new event will create economic benefits for years to come and I am looking forward to sharing the public’s enjoyment of the Dili Sunset Fair.  I hope you have a wonderful evening and thank you for coming". 

Boy Clemens rocks the Sunset Fair

Timorese ladies look on as Flick and Fairy reveal the secret of their height

Ministers, Secretaries of State, The President and the Prosecutor General in the VIP section