Lautém, WWWNEWS-VIPTV.COM — Cultural exchange is playing an important role in strengthening friendship, reconciliation and cooperation between communities in Timor-Leste and Indonesia. Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, welcomed delegations and participants from both countries at Festival Fronteira 2026, held in Com Village, Lautém Municipality, Timor Leste
“Welcome to this festival. I hope that during these three days, we can share our experiences about our cultures and friendship, especially to further strengthen reconciliation between our different cultures. I am very happy to see all of you here and to see so many people coming to participate,” Prime Minister Xanana said during his welcoming remarks in Com on Thursday evening (October 22).
Festival Fronteira 2026 carries the theme “Cultural Exchange to Strengthen Reconciliation”, with the sub-theme “My Land – My Sea – My Culture.”
The festival provides an opportunity to promote cultural exchange, preserve traditional heritage, develop local products and stimulate economic activities among border communities.
The programme includes traditional arts and dance performances, local product exhibitions, and activities related to the blue economy, sustainable fishing, ecotourism and marine resource conservation.
Participants come from communities and delegations across Timor-Leste and Indonesia, including representatives from Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, particularly Belu Regency, North Central Timor Regency (TTU) and Kupang Regency.
One of the participating cultural groups is Sanggar Sandalwood, representing cultural traditions from North Central Timor. Other delegations include representatives from Maluku and Kalimantan, as well as communities from Kisar and Wetar islands, according to the festival’s preparatory information.
Festival Fronteira is an annual programme of the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MJDAK), implemented through the State Secretariat for Arts and Culture (SEAK). The programme began in 2023, with the objectives of promoting and preserving traditional culture, strengthening cultural identity, and fostering friendship and cooperation among communities in the border regions of Timor-Leste and Indonesia.
The organisation of Festival Fronteira 2026 involves Centro Nacional Chega! (CNC), the State Secretariat for Arts and Culture (SEAK), the Ministry of State Administration (MAE), the Office of Land and Maritime Borders, and the Lautém Municipal Authority.
Festival Fronteira 2026 runs from October 23 to 25 in Com Village, Lautém Administrative Post, Lautém Municipality.
Through this annual initiative, the organisers aim to promote peace, mutual understanding and cross-border cooperation through culture, friendship and the active participation of communities from both countries.
