Lafaek News, Dili March 12, 2026 – The Centro Nacional Chega!I.P., in collaboration with Movimentu Letras, Xanana Gusmão Reading Room, Abut, Tio Publishing, and Komité Orientador 25, hosted a two-day (March 11-12) book fair during the 9th Commemoration of National Veterans Day, featured a range of activities, including a Human Library, storytelling, and book discussions. Notable speakers included Aniceto Guro-Berteni Neves, who presented “Biography of Francisco Xavier do Amaral,” and Yazalde Manaca Savio, who shared “A Book of Resistance Poetry.”

The discussion was highly successful, featuring the participation of 254 students from several schools: General Secondary School of 4 de Setembro UNAMET, General Secondary School of Oriental Timor Lorosa’e (ESJOTL), and General Secondary School of AN’NUR. Additionally, students from higher education institutions such as Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL), Instituto Superior Cristal (ISC), Universidade da Paz (UNPAZ), Institute of Business (IOB), and Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) also participated.

In his opening remarks, Hugo Maria Fernandes, Executive Director of Centro Nacional Chega! I.P, emphasized the significance of the book fair, including the concepts of the Human Library, storytelling, and book discussions. These activities aim to promote a culture of reading and showcase various books on history, human rights, peace, and reconciliation. He affirmed that many books are featured at the fair. These books are not meant to be read just for their words and phrases; instead, they are intended to be engaged with on a deeper level. We must ask ourselves while reading, why it could be? – This approach can lead to a more profound understanding. Such an event is designed to guide us toward effective reading practices.

“Book Discussion invites you to delve deeper into the written contents of a book. It’s important to consider how we approach our reading; often, people think they can simply pick up a book and read it, but it requires a more thoughtful engagement. Reading should be viewed as a form of communication and dialogue with the text. This approach will facilitate a better understanding, rather than reading it in a literal sense,” the Executive Director stated in his opening remarks.

On the same occasion, Cornelio Araújo Martins, an ISC student, expressed his enthusiasm for the book fair, highlighting how it contributed to his knowledge. He encouraged Centro Chega! to continue hosting this event. Additionally, Florenzio B. da Silva from UNTL noted that the book fair was particularly engaging, featuring discussions, a human library, and storytelling.

The book fair is an integral activity of the Library Management within the Division of Education and Training (DEF) at Centro Chega!. One of its fundamental objectives is to promote the Centro Chega! Library as a Center of knowledge accessible to everyone, especially young people and students. This initiative aims to enhance their understanding of the history of Timor-Leste, which is preserved at Centro Chega!.

Therefore, this activity is held in response to the mandate of Centro Chega!, outlined under the decree Law No. 48/2016 continue to implement the works that have been done by the (CAVR)-Chega! and CTF – Per Memoriam Ad Spem,” with the vision of preserving the memory of the past, serving as learning lessons for the people of Timor-Leste, and Its mission is to establish post-conflict centers, preserve the memories of the past, promote the values of human rights, build national and international partners, and strengthen the network to implement the relevant recommendations made in the final Report of the Commission for Reception, Truth, and Reconciliation (CAVR)-Chega!, and Commission for Truth and Friendship (CTF) – Per Memoriam Ad Spem.”