Highlighting yet again the still strong Portuguese influence in the former colony of East Timor is the fact that the Government Palace , Dili, was the venue this weekend for the launch of the second civil forum of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).
The event was opened by a band from a Portuguese school and will include Timorese, Portuguese, Brazilian and African music . Other cultural events such as movies, a book launch and fair , concerts and conferences will be held .
Language clinics for Timorese journalists to learn Portuguese were launched last year and a new training cycle was resumed this month. The lingua franca of East Timor is Tetum, official signs in Portuguese and Tetum. Some young Timorese are reportedly suspicious and hostile to the reinstalment of Portuguese influence .
