2024 marks significant commemorations, including the 25th anniversary of Timor-Leste's vote for independence and the start of the Australian-led INTERFET mission. It also celebrates 20 years of partnership between ETWA and the LO'UD Cooperative in Timor-Leste. ETWA, founded by Australian women in solidarity with Timor-Leste, is collaborating with the Burke Gallery at Trinity College, University of Melbourne on the "Tais, Culture & Resilience" Exhibition and Symposium.
The exhibition honours Timor-Leste’s journey to independence and showcases its history and traditions through the vibrant weaving culture of the LO'UD Cooperative. It highlights the cultural arts' power to inspire and connect, reflecting the solidarity between communities in Australia and Timor-Leste. The exhibition runs from September 19 to December 10, 2024.
The symposium, featuring scholars, activists, and experts, will delve deeper into these themes, with discussions on Timor-Leste’s occupation, resistance, and traditional culture. It will be held on September 21, 2024, from 1-4.30pm.
"Tais, Culture & Resilience" is dedicated to Marcelina Pinto and Dr. Helen Hill, who fought for Timor-Leste’s sovereignty. The event is curated by Ben Thomas, with photography by Elaine Briere, Sally Gray, Jorge da Araujo, and Ross Bird, and audio-visual design by Marcus Salvagno.
EXHIBITION
24th September - 10th December 2024
Professor Sir Joseph Burke Gallery
Trinity College, Parkville, VIC 3052
SYMPOSIUM
21st September 2024 | 1.00 - 5.00pm
Craig Auditorium
Trinity College, Parkville, VIC 3052
HELP US REACH OUR FUNDRAISING GOALS
Funds raised will amplify the exhibition's impact and its potential for cultural exchange and expanded understanding of individuals regardless of their interests. Ultimately, donations will bring this significant cultural project to fruition and broaden its significance to foster dialogue and rethinking within both local and global contexts.
With generous support by our partners:
NEW textile designs by LO'UD weavers in Timor-Leste
Inspired by time-honoured designs, LOUD’s new textiles embody sustainability and contemporary elegance. Skilfully plant-dyed and hand-woven using traditional methods, LO’UD’s slowly crafted textiles are naturally stunning.
Ethically produced and priced, every purchase sustains weaving practices and enterprise well-being.
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NEW Coral Coast Meli-Meli Textile 40
$90.00 AUD -
NEW Fo Ba Malu Azul Textile 40
$95.00 AUD
Australian War Memorial Tais Commission
Arte Tais Husi LO’UD
In 2021, the Australian War Memorial invited LO’UD to tell their own stories of Timor-Leste’s journey to independence through the enduring artform of Tais. After two years of fabulous consultative work with their members and participatory research by the LO’UD Team, we’re proud to announce that the Memorial recently received four beautiful and culturally significant Tais created by LO’UD members.
The Tais represent the resilience of Timor-Leste’s women, and their contributions to the resistance, peace, and nation-building. They also represent the cooperation between Timor-Leste and Australia, and the pivotal role played by the Australian Defence Force in restoring peace and security in Timor-Leste in late 1999.
Parabens (congratulations) to LO’UD and on their behalf, thank you to the team at the Australian War Memorial!
ETWA has a big heart for rural women in Timor-Leste.
As a small Australian not-for-profit our volunteers have a direct connection with the communities of women we work with and our people-to-people approach has cultivated life-changing opportunities for members of the LO’UD Cooperative, our key partner in Timor-Leste.
LO’UD Cooperative
ETWA’s Key Partner in Timor-Leste
LO’UD empowers its’ members through local and appropriate economic development whilst ensuring their work preserves culture and leaves a light environmental footprint for future generations.
LO’UD draws its 80 members from three weaving collectives; one located in the flatlands of Lospalos and two in the highlands of Iliomar. In these communities, 80% of women are illiterate and less than 3% of young women attend high school.
LO’UD women speak with one voice to end poverty in their communities! ETWA has supported these amazing women since 2007.
LO’UD’s long-term vision is to seek a balance between dependence and independence and to protect, respect, preserve and cherish their culture and environment to create sustainable futures for their children.
