The “Cultural Forum between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” began today (7 July), at 10am, on the 4th floor of the Macao Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Chief Executive of the Macau S.A.R. Government, Chui Sai On, the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Zheng Xiaosong, the Minister of Culture of Portugal, Luís Filipe de Castro Mendes, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Ye Dabo, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Alexis Tam Chon Weng, the Consul-General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong, Vitor Sereno, the Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, Xu Yingzhen, the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Mok Ian Ian, the Director of Macao Government Tourism Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, the General Director of the General Directorate for Book, Archives and Libraries of Portugal, Silvestre Lacerda and the representative of the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, Li Jiangang.
The representative of the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, Li Jiangang, together with the Minister of Culture of Portugal, Luís Filipe de Castro Mendes and the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam Chon Weng made their speeches in the opening ceremony to kick off the “Cultural Forum between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”, which focuses on the theme of “cultural diversity”. Specialists from Mainland China, Macao, Hong Kong, Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde, East Timor, São Tomé and Príncipe and Guinea-Bissau made several thematic presentations. Approximate 350 people from different sectors attended the Forum on the first day, with the event benefiting from lively atmosphere.
The “Cultural Forum between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” is one of the highlights of the first edition of the “Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”. On the first day of the Cultural Forum, the Director and Researcher of the Institute of Underwater Archaeology of the Centre for Underwater Cultural Heritage at the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Jiang Bo, together with the Vice-President of ICOMOS Portugal, Ana Paula Ramalho Amendoeira, the Member of the Cultural Heritage Committee, Carlos Marreiros and various other delegates and specialists in the field of culture shared ideas and experiences about the significance of multiculturalism and made thematic presentations about the cultural context of their own respective countries of origin. Some delegates and specialists suggested that cultural diversity is a precious cultural resource that is important for the entire society, noting that it is a factor that can also greatly benefit the identity of residents and promote the sustainable development of regions and cities.
In addition to the thematic presentations of this “Cultural Forum between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”, other sessions and activities were also held, allowing for the exchange and the sharing of experiences between specialists of each participating country. Through this Cultural Forum, the organizer, IC, hopes to facilitate cultural cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, with Macao as a centre, thereby also motivating further public interest in treasuring and protecting the unique and diversified cultural resources of Macao, while also enriching general knowledge and appreciating the cultural context of China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Thematic presentations and sessions for the exchange of ideas, focusing on the conservation of intangible cultural heritage and cultural diversity, will be continued again tomorrow morning (8 July) at the Macao Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. The sessions will be conducted in Cantonese, Mandarin and Portuguese, with simultaneous translation provided in Chinese, Portuguese and English. Admission is free. All are welcome to participate. For more information, please refer to the booklet or visit the webpage www.icm.gov.mo/FCP.