Dili, July 8 (AseanAll) — The President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, J. Ramos-Horta, has announced two important national events set to take place in the coming months: the Dili International Marathon and the revival of the Rabilau Festival, one of the Timor-Leste’s most emblematic cultural initiatives.
The announcement was made following a high-level meeting at the Presidential Palace, which included the President’s Chief of Staff, government members, and leaders of national sports federations. The meeting reflected President Ramos-Horta’s consistent vision of promoting sports and culture as instruments of national unity and international solidarity.
In a statement to the press, Vice Prime-Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Tourism, and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, highlighted that these initiatives are an expression of the firm commitment President Ramos-Horta has maintained since his first term. The Dili International Marathon is planned for October, a proposal made directly by the Head of State as a way to affirm Timor-Leste’s solidarity with the Palestinian people amid current global challenges.
The Minister of Youth, Art, and Culture, Nélio Isaac, confirmed that preparations are underway, ensuring a robust technical organization. Coordination of the event will be shared between the Ministry of Youth, Art, and Culture and the Federations of Athletics and Cycling of Timor-Leste under a model of collaborative leadership, aiming to ensure broad national and international participation with a special focus on the ASEAN region.
These initiatives are part of a broader presidential strategy for the international projection of Timor-Leste through sports and cultural diplomacy. The Rabilau Festival, whose return was also confirmed, will be one of the main cultural milestones.
During the meeting, the staging of the CPLP Games, scheduled for this month, was also addressed. The President was briefed on the progress of preparations and assured the direct and continuous involvement of the Presidency of the Republic, even with his planned trip to Guinea-Bissau to participate in the CPLP Summit, which will coincide with the games’ opening. The Minister of Youth, Art, and Culture, Nélio Isaac, took the opportunity to highlight the progress already achieved in organizing the event, emphasizing the commitment of national institutions to ensure its success. The Head of State reiterated the institutional commitment to major national and international events, as an expression of Timor-Leste’s active role in the Lusophone community.
