In celebration of Timor’s ongoing peace and national unity and, coinciding with Timor Leste’s Anniversary of Restoration of Independence, the Baucau Music and Art Festival will showcase Timorese music, art and culture to a local, district, national and international audience. With performances from district based bands and groups, nationally recognised musician Ego Lemos and international performances from Australian band B2M, the festival will be a musical feast. Complimented by traditional dance, an art fair and an expo the three day festival will inspire youth, facilitate cultural exchanges between Australia and Timor and allow generations to connect and share stories.

Commencing with a beautiful opening ceremony and music concert on Friday 24 May activities will continue over the weekend showcasing traditional and modern Timorese music, art and dance with a focus on the districts of Baucau, Lautem and Viqueque. The festival will then close with a moving ceremony that continues the theme of peace and unity.

The Festival will be an inclusive experience and will showcase the exceptional music and artistic talents of the Timorese people. Please watch our short video and gain a sense of the possibilities this event could provide for the Timorese community.

However we need your help! You may not be able to get to Baucau but you can still be a part of Timor Leste's first ever contemporary and traditional music and art festival. 

The total budget is $75,000 with $21,000 of this being in-kind.  We have confirmed cash funding of $11,000 from the Australian Embassy, Dili; $10,000 from a private sponsor; and $3,000 from the Friends of Baucau. We have submitted a request to the Timorese Government (Ministry of Art and Culture and Ministry of Youth Services) for $10,000. If successful this still leaves a shortfall of $20,000 cash. As Project Managers, Marqy and I are being supported through my Asialink Arts Management Residency. The Embassy are supporting the travel of Australian band B2M to travel from the Tiwi Islands to Darwin and Timor. B2M will be in Baucau the week before the festival to run music workshops in schools and youth centres throughout Baucau and surrounding districts. Friends of Baucau are paying the performance fees and travel costs for 11 traditional dance groups from the 11 surrounding districts to perform at the festival.

The $20,000 to be raised through Pozible would contribute towards the following major cash costs:

- Production $14,000; - Generators $2,000 - Performance Fees (and accommodation support) for bands $7,500.

Additional funding raised over the $20,000 would go towards shortfalls, extending the benefits of the festival such as documentation and enabling a payment to be made to all the Timorese volunteers who have worked so hard to realise this amazing dream.

This is an historic event. Please join with us and help make this a reality!