By Vannessa Hearman

MELBOURNE -- Aifunan Midar (Sweet Flowers), a play devised and performed by 18 members of the East Timorese community, opened here on October 8 at Gasworks Theatre.

The play uses traditional singing and drumming, coupled with contemporary poetry and dance. According to trainee director Fernando Pires, who works with director Robin Laurie, the play deals with East Timor's creation, and the Timorese community's dreams of returning to the island and questions of their identity.

The Timorese diaspora is far-flung geographically and also in terms of its members' diverse experiences.

“Working on the play is very interesting. It involves Timorese from the age of 22 to 68 years old. Some Timorese were born in East Timor, others in Portugal, and we use up to three languages to communicate, reflecting the diversity of the community”, Pires told Green Left Weekly.

“We have a concept called `the divided self', and this very much reflects the experiences of the community in dealing with questions of identity. The influx of refugees in the past five years has meant that the community has changed.”

Emanuel Braz is a trainee writer for the play, working in conjunction with Graham Pitts and Elisabete Gomes. He began by writing short messages about health for the Timorese community, a project run by the Arts and Culture Program Group of the North Richmond Community Health Centre.

“I am attracted to theatre, because it is different to the usual medium of presenting political messages. Now is also an interesting time to be doing this play, in that Indonesia has changed and this means it is also a new beginning for the Timorese -- a theme we also take up.”

Aifunan Midar runs until October 18 at the Gasworks Theatre, 21 Graham St, Albert Park. Phone 9699 3253 for bookings.

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