Consular Corps in Hong Kong and Macao visit the Territory to attend the closing performance of the 28^th Macao International Music Festival and visit the “Retrospective Exhibition of Decorated Arches of Macao”

On the occasion of the 28^th Macao International Music Festival, the Macao S.A.R. Government, through the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), invited consuls of various countries accredited in Hong Kong and Macao to visit the territory on 29 October 2014 and participate in activities organized by IC such as A Retrospective Exhibition of Decorated Arches of Macao in Commemoration of the 15^th Anniversary of Macao’s Handover to China. They then enjoyed a performance of Hairspray – The Musical, by Bronowski Productions, Ltd. (United Kingdom), the closing performance of the 28th Macao International Music Festival at the Macao Cultural Centre.

The delegation visited A Retrospective Exhibition of Decorated Arches of Macao in Commemoration of the 15^th Anniversary of Macao's Handover to China, jointly organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Macao Foundation and the Macao Artists Society, accompanied by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Mr. Ung Vai Meng, the Vice-President, Dr. Leung Hio Ming and the Head of the Cultural Events Department, Mr. Kent Ieong, and by the President of the Macao Artists Society, Mr. Lai Ieng, recognising and understanding the characteristics of the pailou culture during the National Day celebrations. The visit facilitated the delegation’s understanding of the construction of National Day pailou (decorated arches) in the past. The delegates were impressed by Macao’s pailou culture, and experienced its unique cultural practice.

Exhibits include 30 special paintings by National Day pailou old days designers and members of the Macao Artists Society, whilst valuable photos and models of National Day pailou are also displayed. The delegation was interested in the construction of the pailou and appreciated the process of the production crews who built them in one night.

In the evening, after enjoying a dinner hosted by the Bureau, the consuls’ delegation attended the closing performance of the 28^th Macao International Music Festival, Hairspray - The Musical, featuring an inspirational and encouraging story. The original Broadway production debuted on 15 August 2002 and ran for over 2,500 performances, being warmly received by numerous audiences. In 2003, Hairspray won 8 Tony Awards and 10 Drama Desk Awards.