In celebration of the 17th anniversary of Macao’s handover to China, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and other governmental and non-governmental organizations jointly hold the ‘Parade through Macao, Latin City’ on Sunday, 4 December. In order to entreat success to the event, IC organised a worship ceremony including a lion dance performance held today (1 December), at the Largo da Companhia de Jesus, in a cheerful and lively atmosphere, attracting many spectators.
The worship ceremony was attended by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; the Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; the Vice President of the Sports Bureau, Lau Cho Un; the Deputy Commissioner of the Fire Services Bureau, Chao Ka Cheong; the Vice President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Chan Peng Fai; the President of the Macao Association for the Promotion of Exchange Between Asia-Pacific and Latin America, Gary Ngai Mei Cheong; the Director of the Programmes and Production Division of TDM, Ltd., Lok Kong; the General Manager of the Public Relations Division of Air Macau Co. Ltd, Zhao Hong; the President of the Macao General Union of Neighbourhood Associations, Leong Heng Kao; and the President of the Macao Sam Pa Mun Residents Mutual Aid Association, Lau Siu Lon, among others.
In order to wish the Parade all success, the organizer invited the event coordinating staff, the supporting entities and representatives of the performing groups to attend the worship ceremony. This year the Parade is inspired in the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shan Hai Jing). VIVA travels through extraordinary mountains and rivers, where he meets bizarre beasts that tell him amusing stories along the way. Local illustrator Un Chi Wai was invited to design several creative characters on the Parade route, where participants may find Shan Hai’s friends and appreciate the creative decorations. Nearly 1,200 performers from 60 local and foreign groups will present fabulous performances, entertaining and cheering residents and visitors. The Parade will end in Tap Siac Square, where participants will celebrate the handover through the power of ‘Peace, Love and Cultural Integration’.
In order to promote the highlights of this year’s Parade, IC promotes the game “VIVA’s Adventures through Shan Hai – Win air tickets” in the social media, participants may have a chance to win one round-trip ticket to any destination of choice sponsored by Air Macau. Residents are welcome to participate. Meanwhile, the Parade will be broadcast on TDM, Teledifusão de Macau S.A., and TDM HD from 4pm to 7pm, while a Parade Special programme dedicated to the event’s highlights will be broadcast at 7pm on 17 December on Hong Kong TVB Jade Channel to allow audiences to review the best moments of the event. Before the Parade kicks off on 4 December, several mysterious creatures with painted faces will pop up along the route to colour the faces of the public.
The Parade counts on the support of many associations. Special traffic arrangements like temporary road closure of the Parade route will be enforced on the day of the event, including first-aid posts and service stations arranged along the route. There will also be a giant balloon performance, and therefore unmanned aerial devices are not allowed in order to guarantee public safety.
For more information, please visit IC’s Parade website at www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade, the page of the Parade on Facebook www.facebook.com/macaoparade or the Parade WeChat account (search ‘ICmacao’ on the WeChat platform).