Dili, April 16, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Centro Nacional Chega I.P (CNC) signed a cooperation agreement with the Manatuto Municipal Memorial Museum. Previously, CNC had signed an agreement with the Manatuto Municipality after the museum was established last month. The signing ceremony was held at the CNC building in Balide.
The Executive Director of CNC, Hugu Maria Fernandes, stated that today’s event marked the signing of the cooperation agreement between CNC and the newly inaugurated Manatuto Municipal Memorial Museum, which was officially opened in March 2025 by the Minister of State Administration on behalf of the Prime Minister.
“Today we signed the agreement between CNC and the Manatuto Municipal Memorial Museum, which was inaugurated last month by the Minister of State Administration representing the Prime Minister. This step allows CNC to continue supporting the museum so that it can function properly according to its institutional mission as a museum,” said Hugu Maria Fernandes.
He explained that the agreement includes two important components: one part concerns financial support for the institution’s operations, meaning CNC will cover the operational budget of the memorial museum and the other part relates to facilitating activities, including activities usually carried out by other museums.
“The purpose of establishing this museum is to mobilize students and young people so they can have access to it. Additionally, the museum will also conduct research to document the memories of the Manatuto population, especially events from the past. This work will be carried out in collaboration with the Manatuto Municipal Memorial Museum Council, which consists of the President of the Manatuto Municipal Authority, the President of the Municipal Council, the Competent Council for Liberation, and representatives from victims’ associations,” he explained.
He further emphasized that CNC, through its Memory Preservation Division led by Director Zalde and his team, will maintain daily communication with the museum’s management to ensure effective cooperation and future development.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Manatuto Municipal Memorial Museum, Adelino D. Soares, said that today’s meeting aimed to formalize the signing of the agreement through which CNC provides budget support to the museum.
“By signing this agreement, CNC is providing financial support of $14,000 to the Manatuto Municipal Memorial Museum. This funding, which we call institutional strengthening, will help reinforce the museum’s operations and activities,” said Adelino D. Soares.
He added that the museum will implement activities such as educational visits for students and young people, allowing them to learn more deeply about the history of past events.
“Another activity planned by the memorial museum is identifying historical sites, such as former prisons, sites of mass killings, and other significant locations, including shelters used during the resistance period. These locations will be identified within Manatuto Municipality,” he added.
He also mentioned that another goal of the museum is to collect and record the memories of victims who survived the conflicts that occurred from 1975 to 1999, creating documentaries and archiving them in the museum so the public can access them.
He further explained that the annual budget of $14,000 provided by CNC is intended for two components: operational functioning and operational costs. To date, memorial museums have already been established in five municipalities such as Viqueque, Suai, Aileu, Bobonaro, and Manatuto and there are plans to expand to other municipalities.
Report : Nelfiano
Photo : Nelfiano