Our East Timor episode is a hard one to watch at points, and with all that is going on in Ukraine right now, the story in some ways will seem quite familiar: a giant country invading a small country under false pretenses, civilians taking up arms to defend their land, a population that collectively shows uncommon valor in the face of unconscionable brutality.
But there are also contrasts between the two conflicts. First and foremost in my mind is global awareness: in this world of instant communication and connectivity, the world is watching what is going on in Ukraine 24/7 via any number of news outlets, social media, person to person communication via WhatsApp etc, and as a result, people from all corners of the planet are getting involved and trying to help the Ukranians in all manner of ways.
In stark contrast, the East Timorese were essentially cut off from the world from 1975 to 1999, left to fight for their freedom on their own - a very real David and Goliath battle that lasted 24 years.
So it will come as no surprise that the first half of this episode was easily the most difficult one to write and edit in the series. But it’s an amazing story about the resilience of a people in the face of insurmountable odds, and in the second half of the episode, it turns to a story all about the potential of a young island nation in a small corner of the coral triangle.
Huge thanks to the people in this episode for opening up their lives to us - especially to my friend Puto Naldo Rei.
Naldo Rei
Centro Nacional Chega - CNC
Buibere nia RISKA
Dive Timor Lorosae
The people of Adara Village on Atauro Island
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Chapters:
00:00 Show Open
00:57 Culture Quest title sequence
01:30 Sponsors' messages
02:31 Intro to East Timor
03:06 CHEGA Museum
08:30 Naldo Rei
12:02 Santa Cruz Cemetery
13:13 Santa Cruz Massacare
15:24 East Timor Today
16:37 Buibere Nia Riska Mural
20:03 Atauro Island
22:39 "Mermaids" of Adara
25:44 Naldo's Thoughts on Future
27:56 Sponsors' Messages
