Suai Media Space

In 2001, together with the staff of the St Kilda Library a group of us created a remembrance event in Pt Phillip  called the Circle of Stones for the 2nd Anniversary of the Suai Church Massacre . I had made a short documentary about grief and justice filmed at the 1st Anniversary of the massacre titled the Circle of Stones which was screened at that event. (Note: Documentary to come Feb.2008))

The name came from the circle of stones that grew outside Our Lady of Fatima Church where the massacre took place. It is said fifty to two hundred people died in the Suai Church Massacre including three priests, Padre Hilario, Padre Dewato and Padre Soares. Art

The short film the Circle of Stones (1) and a short documentary about the 2nd Anniversary will be uploaded shortly. (February 2008)

Many more people died in the School grounds adjacent to the church in the Unfinished Cathedral and in the surrounding districts. There are many stories to be told by the Timorese about these events as they find enough peace to write their history. While we wait for those stories to emerge, I will post footage of theatre and performance mounted for the local and international community in Suai on September 6, 2000 on the occasion of the 1st Anniversary of the massacre. The short film the Circle of Stones (1) about grief and a call for justice will be uploaded under 2000 shortly. (February 2008)

We have taken the rocks or stones and the circles formed by them as inspiration for creating a conversation between the people of Pt Phillip, Melbourne, Australia or anywhere else, and the people of East Timor, Cova Lima, Suai.

In Conversation-rocks you will find posting threads that have taken their cue from the rocks painted for the 2nd Anniversary of the massacre.

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