|
Grants
and Projects - East Timor
Lirio
At the end of 2000 the
Anna Wearne Trust sponsored Lirio, a group of young women from East Timor,
to come to Australia for a music tour and cultural exchange. This was an
amazing experience for everyone involved - both Lirio themselves and the
women in Melbourne who worked at fundraising and organising the tour.
|
Women from East Timor - Music
Tour
|
The Anna Wearne Trust
gave both financial and in-kind support, including advice, encouragement
and accommodation. Lirio toured for two weeks in Melbourne and regional
Victoria and their performances were very well received.
The itinery was varied,
and included Lirio conducting workshops with rural primary schools in the
North East and South Gippsland, performing with Ruby Hunter and Archie
Roach at the Festival of Folk Rhythm and Life, performing at the opening of
the Fretilin office at Trades Hall in Carlton, and a performance at the
Black Box Theatre at the Melbourne Concert Hall. Lirio had an opportunity
to exchange music and dance skills and ideas while they were here, working
with a wide range of performers. This cultural exchange was a very
important aspect of the project.
As well as their hard
work, the beautiful women of Lirio had time relaxing, sight seeing and lots
of news experiences while they were here. They got used to technology they
hadn't seen before, like lifts and trains, and coped well with the culture
shock of coming to our opulent country.
The tour has made a
lasting impact on the members of the group. Lirio now have a paid residency
at an Australian-run restaurant/bar in Dili and have been invited to return
to Melbourne in 2002 for a major international concert being organised by
the United Nations.
A CD is being produced,
and will be used to raise funds to provide musical instruments for
community groups in East Timor. It will be a compilation CD and will
include music recorded with Lirio in Australia.
Congratulations to Kate
Vale, whose work and commitment made the tour possible. The Anna Wearne
Trust thoroughly enjoyed supporting Kate in her courageous and at times
hurdle-ridden project. Nobody will forget the experiences shared with the
Lirio women.
<< Back
|
