Sunset Fair 2011 Season Starts August 26th

We're pleased and excited to announce that the opening date for the Sunset Fair/Feira Lokraik 2011 season will be August 26th, and we plan to run through to December. So pencil every Friday night in your diary and prepare to have some fun! Parents will be delighted to know that the much-loved bouncy castle will be there again this year, so that the little ones can work off some energy whilst Mum and Dad enjoy a refreshing cool drink as they watch the sun go down.

We are working on some new developments to make this year's Sunset Fair even bigger and better this year, so follow this blog and our new Facebook page (see panel on left) to get all the news.

Looking forward to meeting up with you all again down at Kristu Rei!

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"

The latest promo video for the Sunset Fair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtOt_ka83zI

A great night at the Sunset Fair... Boy Clemens, MAC Criancas Unidas and a surprise visit from the Prime Minister

Boy Clemens performed at the Sunset Fair's opening night in September and this week he came back for an encore. But this time, when he sang the Sunset Fair anthem "Areia Branca", the crowd sang along with him. This great song has been getting a lot of exposure lately. Boy also had some backing vocals from the Timorese childrens' choir, MAC Criancas Unidas, who were rehearsing with Boy for a concert that is being organised by UNESCO in Dili this Friday.

The picture shows Boy Clemens at keyboards, with MAC Criancas Unidas, as the Sunset Fair Patron, Kirsty Sword Gusmao looks on. Kirsty is also Chair of the National UNESCO Commission (amongst other things) and is the wife of the Timor-Leste Prime Minister (standing at the back, beard and khaki shirt), Xanana Gusmao.

Meanwhile, Kirsty (and the Prime Minister) were being followed by a film crew who are making a fly-on-the-wall documentary about her life and work. In turn, they were being followed by me and other members of the public taking photos of the whole thing.

Kirsty clowns with the film crew and takes a stroll with her husband during a break in the filming

It was a good night, with plenty of delicious food, great music and only one very quick rain shower. We were happy to welcome the One More Bar back to the Fair. Gill has become a favourite with FairGoers, for his excellent sausages. He now has a new partner, Rob, who calls himself the Wurst Meister: he makes a big range of different types of sausages and cures his own bacon.

 Rob and Gill show off their sizzling sausages

There were a couple of Sunset Fair first-timers, selling BBQ chicken.... and religious statues. 

A beautiful sunset....

The ever-popular bouncy castle...

Opportunities for some early Christmas shopping...

A chance to catch up with friends....

Grab a bite to eat...

... and to welcome back a Sunset Fair friend and sponsor, Boy Clemens

Don't forget, next week the Sunset Fair moves to Fridays.... starting November 26th through to closing night on December 17th.  TGI Friday!

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.