Joanna Jolly, Dili – On a day tinged with sadness and joy, thousands of East Timorese yesterday celebrated the first anniversary of their independence from often brutal colonial rule by Indonesia.

In memorial services, speeches and concerts, the East Timorese paid tribute to the thousands who died during 24 years of Indonesian occupation. They especially remembered the sacrifice of those who lost their lives after last year's independence vote, which was followed by a campaign of violence and destruction orchestrated by pro-Indonesian militias and the Indonesian military.

"We are here today at the resting place of those who gave their lives so East Timor can be free," Nobel peace laureate and Vice-President of the National Council for Timorese Resistance (CNRT) Jose Ramos-Horta said at the Santa Cruz cemetery in East Timor's capital, Dili.

"Those who survive have to bear the burden of responsibility for building a better East Timor." On August 30 last year, the East Timorese queued to place their vote in the ballot to decide between continuing rule by Jakarta or independence.

After the overwhelming result in favour of independence was announced a few days later, hundreds were killed and more than 80 per cent of the region was ravaged as militias and the Indonesian military pulled out. East Timor is now under the administration of the United Nations, which hopes to hand over to an East Timorese government in a year.

In Dili, the day began with a cathedral mass held by Bishop Carlos Belo and attended by 1,500 worshippers, including the head of the United Nations Transitional Administration, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and CNRT President Xanana Gusmao.

As hundreds of East Timorese who could not find seats stood patiently outside in the blazing sun, Bishop Belo urged the people to work together for the future. "We won a victory, I hope people will not repeat the injustices of the past," he said. Mass was followed by wreath-laying ceremonies at the Santa Cruz cemetery, the scene of a brutal massacre by Indonesian troops in 1991.

At midday, a crowd of 10,000 East Timorese gathered in front of the former governor's office, now the seat of the UN administration, to hear speeches from leaders and dignitaries. Messages of goodwill were read out by political representatives from Australia, the United States and China. "Today I salute the courage of every East Timorese citizen and the memories of those brave East Timorese men and women who perished so that you could have your freedom," United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a statement read by Mr de Mello.

Earlier in the morning, delegates at the CNRT congress voted to retain popular former guerilla leader Mr Gusmao – who was captured and incarcerated by the Indonesians in 1992 – as president until independent elections next year.

Emotions among the crowd were mixed. Although there was joy at finally achieving independence, there was sorrow at the high price that was paid. "I feel emotional to be here," said Mica Barreto, 28, an East Timorese who now works for the UN administration. "Last year we knew we would get our freedom, but we could not express it openly. Now I am happy to celebrate, though I know not all East Timorese had the chance to be free."