International Art Exhibition "Haksolok Ami: Haksolok la iha Fronteira" to be held in the Crewe Library

Our Joy: Happiness has no Boarders Art Exhibition in the Crewe Library will celebrate Timor-Leste's 21st Independence Day.

Crewe based mixed-medium artist, Milton M. Edyh Calado, also known as Toto, will be bringing a little bit of Timor-Leste to the Crewe Library this month to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Timor-Leste's Independence. With "Haksolok Ami", or "Our Joy", Toto aims to share his culture through his art with the residents of Crewe, which is currently home to over 500 Timorese.

"Happiness has no Boarders means a lot to me," says Toto. "Not only is it my first exhibition in the UK, but it acts as a reminder to myself and my peers to be proud of our heritage – and share it with our fellow Crewe residents". Toto has been honing his skills in art since 2010, and is a principal talent in the Timorese arts' community – where developing creative voices is often faced with continuous challenges. Toto, having persevered to develop his own creativity and artistic expression, is an advocate for the arts, and strives to raise people's awareness, appreciation, and respect for the work of Timorese artists.

Timor-Leste, or East Timor, celebrates its Independence Day on May 20 every year. The country has had a long and complicated struggle with its independence. The first proclamation of independence was signed on November 28, 1975, when the country sought independence from Portugal. However, their independence was short-lived as East Timor was quickly and violently captured by Indonesians. Up to 200,00 people died from the violence and other woes such as illness and hunger. East Timor was recognized as an independent republic by the United Nations (U.N.) in 2002 and in September of that year, the country was renamed Timor-Leste to honour its Portuguese Roots.

The exhibition will take place from 20-27 of May in the Crewe Library. Toto invites you to join him at the Exhibition Opening on 20 May, 2023 between 9am and 1pm.