Timor Leste – Ita Nia Lian, Ita Nia Istoria

Timor-Leste – Ita Nia Lian, Ita Nia Istoria – Our Voices Our Stories spotlights the vibrant new wave of Timorese music led by Hamoris Lian Timor, a creative movement dedicated to nurturing young artists, preserving cultural memory, and amplifying Timor-Leste’s stories on the world stage. Emerging from community driven collaboration across Dili, Suai, and the diaspora, Hamoris Lian Timor empowers artists to record, perform and share their lived experiences with authenticity, pride, and artistic freedom.

This landmark concert features three of the movement’s most exciting voices, Izu, Jovie, and Lolobremu. Their powerful songwriting and contemporary Timorese sound are redefining what modern music from Timor-Leste can be. They are joined by distinguished guest Ego Lemos, an influential singer songwriter and ambassador for permaculture in Timor-Leste, whose longstanding contribution to musical activism and cultural advocacy continues to influence generations of artists.

Celebrating the deep creative relationship between Timor-Leste and Australia, the evening also features David Bridie (Not Drowning, Waving), whose decades long commitment to Pacific and Melanesian music has been instrumental in bringing regional artists to global attention. Through Wantok Musik, Bridie has championed Timorese musicians, supported community-led recording projects, and fostered long-term artistic exchange grounded in respect, cultural integrity and collaboration. In recognition of this work, he was recently awarded the Timor-Leste Order of Merit, acknowledging his significant contribution to the nation’s cultural development and international visibility.

In a history making moment, the night unveils three major Hamoris Lian Timor releases – IzuPi, Lolobremu, and Feto Nia Lian Feto Nia Istoria (featuring Jesuina de Carvalho and Felicia Maia) – and the premiere of a new documentary from Wantok Musik Foundation’s recent work with the Women’s Project. This gathering of new work makes for an unmissable evening, highlighting Wantok’s commitment to elevating Timorese storytelling on the global stage.