Arts + Culture

The arts and culture scene for expats in Dili is, admittedly, small. Artistic work tends to be led by a tight knit group of Timorese artists, a small cadre of Indonesians living in or with connections to Timor, and whatever international creatives happen to be living in Dili at the moment.

Timorese cultural traditions are a major part of local creative output. Timor Leste’s hand-woven tais fabric has been formally recognized by UNESCO cultural heritage efforts. Local dance troupes perform regularly at cultural ceremonies and other public events. Timor Leste has its own ‘pop stars’ who combine traditional themes with contemporary music practices to create well-known Tetum-language hits.

Fundacao Oriente is a Portuguese cultural institution with a branch in Dili. It has a well-maintained compound in Lecidere with galleries, a performance courtyard, and a theater/meeting room. If there’s any art or cultural event of note for creative-leaning expats, it’s likely to be happening here. Local artists are featured regularly.

Arte Moris is a Timorese art school, cultural center, and artist collective in Dili. Established local artists share their work, collaborate, and teach the next generation. The organization hit controversy in 2022 when they were evicted out of their communal art space. As of mid-2023, with support from Timor Leste’s president, they are based in the former heliport tower behind the Presidential Palace in Bairo Pite, Dili.

Gembel Art is another well known art collective. They have a gallery and run workshops for the local community. They are based in Metiaut, Dili, along the foreshore.

Buibere nia Riska is a women’s art collective established by power house artist, musician, and performer Zinha Piedade. Their murals can be found around town, and you may be lucky to catch an exhibition.

Projeto Montanha in Aileu, about an hour’s drive up the hill from Dili, is worth a mention. This small Brazilian-influenced organization is an art studio and school, restaurant, and guest house that is home base for Timorese painter Inu Bere. If he’s there, he’ll give you an informative tour before or after you eat lunch.

There are few formal gallery spaces in Dili, other than those listed above. Prints by area photographers decorate lobbies of hotels and other buildings. Artists and photographers sometimes hang shows in coffee shops, though not as often as you might expect. There are some amazing murals, graffiti, and other street art around town.

Film lovers in Dili can view Hollywood and other international movies at the Platinum Cineplex in Timor Plaza. Beachside in Metiaut shows recent-ish films on the beach on weekend nights, though not so much during the rainy season. Check the respective Facebook pages for schedules. The annual Dili Film Festival is a celebration of local and international film, held at various venues around town and often supported by independence hero and politician Jose Ramos Horta. Also, keep an eye out for special film events hosted by Fundacao, embassies, and other Dili organizations.

The Dili music scene isn’t super formal, and consists mostly of local bands plus local and expat DJs. Performances pop up at nightlife spots around the city as well as at various big stage events in public spaces. As with most events in Dili, promotion is usually low key and last minute. Befriend some Timorese musicians and expat party-goers, get into the right WhatsApp and Facebook groups where information is shared, and you’ll be in the know. Venues such as Dilicious, Sky Bar, Fundacao Oriente and Ponkys are worth checking to see if there is anything on.

Klamar is one of the most well known bands on the scene and regularly hold gigs around Dili. Their music is a mix of reggae, rock, folk, and hip hop, which they combine with beautiful ambient performance spaces. They also run the annual music festival Lantava, showcasing local artistic talent in lovely settings in Los Palos.

Klan is a Dili production company known for putting on metal festivals and running stages for government, commercial, and public events. They also host Music Everywhere, a startup free music event at the foot of Dili’s iconic Cristo Rei. This is a platform for emerging musicians to showcase what they’ve been brewing, complemented by the work of established musicians. Check the Klan Facebook page for upcoming events and gigs.

British expat icon Tracey Morgan heads an informal expat choir. Get in touch with her through her Facebook profile, “Tracey Alexandra Morgan.”

Irregular freestyle comedy nights are hosted by an American who has lived in Dili for a decade.

Outside of whatever is going on at the Fundacao Oriente (and the annual surprisingly-well-done high school play at Dili International School), theater and dance performances are sporadic in Dili. Theater and dance groups do exist, covering traditional to contemporary. Reach out to them or check their Facebook pages for upcoming performances. Start with these:

• Theatre Timor Leste (TERTIL), based in Dili
• Teatru Filteda, a Baucau theater group
• Le-ziaval, a Dili based dance and cultural group

If you’re a Dili expat with an artsy mind, remember the big positive of Dili’s relatively small creative pond – if you have an idea for a show or performance and you put yourself out there, you’re almost guaranteed to get an audience!