Dili, December 11, 2024 (Média Democracia) – The President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta inaugurated the National Tais Forum 2024 to welcome more than 200 traditional tais makers in Timor-Leste at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace. The two-day event celebrates the makers of tais, the country’s first intangible cultural heritage which receive recognition from UNESCO.
The forum, organized by the President of the Republic of Timor-Leste in collaboration with Timor Aid and the Timor-Leste Tais Makers Network Association gather tais makers from 13 municipalities and the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse, Ambeno, government officials, diplomats and cultural experts. The forum also participated in discussions on the preservation and promotion of the traditional textile art form that received recognition from UNESCO in 2021.
“Making-Tais is a symbol of Timor-Leste’s spiritual life – each of our backs carries our story, our community and the resilience of our people. Through our support for tais-making masters and the Tais-Making Network Association, we ensure that this sacred knowledge is passed on to future generations, while creating economic opportunities for rural communities.” President Ramos-Horta said.
The forum featured cultural presentations from all municipalities, showcasing traditional ceremonies in which Tais plays a central role. In addition, the event marked the current general meeting of the Timor-Leste Tais Makers Network Association, a national network of Tais makers established to protect this cultural heritage.
Reported by : Press Release
Picture by : Media Officer of PR