The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. will hold the Celebration of the 13th Anniversary of Macao’s Handover to China “Parade through Macao, Latin City” on the 20th of December, the day marking the establishment of the Macao S.A.R. The Parade continues under the banner of last year’s theme, “Peace, Love and Cultural Integration”, with a new slogan: “An annual celebration for the entire city – VIVA!”. This year’s cultural feast will attract even more residents and tourists, inviting them to dig deep into the diverse cultural atmosphere of Macao and its legacy of integration between China and the West.
On the afternoon of 12th November, the Cultural Affairs Bureau hosted a press conference regarding the “Parade through Macao, Latin City” at the Tourism Activities Centre. The President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Dr. Ung Vai Meng, President of the Executive Board of the Macao Association for the Promotion of Exchange between Asia-Pacific and Latin America Gary Ngai Mei Cheong, Department Head of the Cultural Events Department Kent Ieong Chi Kin and Division Head of the Special Projects Division Boyce Lam Chon Keong were present at the press conference to introduce this year’s parade. Also attended in the conference were representatives from various local performing groups.
Last year’s parade took the Region by storm, attracting an aggregate viewership of several million which includes the audience present at the parade, those who watched the live televised broadcast and the simulcast on outdoor screens at various locations, plus those who tuned in to the special Parade programme on TV. This exciting event is now close at hand once again, ready to wind another legendary route through the Latin City.
The “Parade through Macao, Latin City” is organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and is co-organised by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, the Macao Government Tourist Office, the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of Macao, the Public Security Police Force, the Transport Bureau, the Fire Services Bureau, the Social Welfare Bureau and the Macao Association for the Promotion of Exchange between Asia-Pacific and Latin America. It is also supported by various organisations, including the Macao General Union of Neighbourhood Associations, the Macao Sam Pa Mun Residents Mutual Aid Association, the Macao Soi Ho Cheok Residents Mutual Aid Association, the Macao Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre, the Casa de Portugal em Macau, the Macao Flying Eagles Association, the Scout Association of Macao, the Macao Community Youth Volunteers Development Association, the Association of Social Service Volunteers Macao, the General Volunteers Association of Macao, the Macao Civil Servant's Association and the Recreation Club of the Bank of China, Macao Branch. In addition, TDM (Teledifusão de Macau, S.A.) is serving as the designated television broadcaster.
“100 Dancers” get things started; Grand Finale brings “Peace, Love and Cultural Integration” to Tap Seac Square
The opening ceremony takes place at 4pm in front of the Ruins of St. Paul’s, with bells, beautiful voices and shouts of ‘VIVA’ ushering in a joyous exchange between the Chinese and Western cultures. One hundred dancers will gracefully inaugurate the momentous occasion, setting the stage for foreign performers from various corners of the world to join hands with local artists and lead everyone on a colourful and dazzling journey.
The Parade route differs slightly this year, beginning on Rua de S. Paulo and winding its way past St. Anthony’s Church, Companhia de Jesus Square, Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro, Rua dos Artilheiros, Rua de Sanches de Miranda, Calçada da Igreja de São Lázaro, the Old Ladies’ House (Albergue), Rua de São Roque, Rua Nova de São Lázaro, St. Lazarus Church, Rua do Volong, Rua do Tap Seac and Rua de Afonso de Albuquerque. Residents and tourists are welcome to join and follow the parade at any point on the route, to experience and share in the joyous ambience of this extravaganza!
This year’s Parade embraces performing groups from over 20 countries and regions including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Chile and Colombia, among them the Association Colombie Côte d’Azur, Les Chimères from France, Ballet Folclórico del Estado de México, Qhapaq Negrole Chanta A La from Peru, Sbandieratori Principi D’Acaja from Italy, and Diabolo Dance Theatre from Taipei. Joining them in the Parade are 40 local groups, bringing the total estimate of performers and staff to an amazing 2,000 creative participants, each of them striving to delight audiences with their very best performance.
Realisation of Cultural Integration between China and the West; giant puppet ‘VIVA’ to entertain at Tap Seac Square
This year’s parade features several highlights taking place at various stations, allowing followers to join in at any point on the route. The typically calm Rua de S. Paulo will be transformed into a Puppet Playground for the delight of children and adults alike. The Magic Show at St. Anthony’s Square will surprise audiences with wonderful illusions, while the Musical Salon sets up on Companhia de Jesus Square to style visitors with a variety of coiffures and hairdos against a musical soundtrack. The Bollywood Dances at Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro take audiences to exotic India, while the Artists on Stilts at Rua de Sanches de Miranda deliver a thrilling performance. Performing groups will gather for the Colourful Show in St. Lazarus featuring dazzling Chinese Dunhuang dance and the Portuguese Tumbala drums, coupled with guqin performances and live painting, created on spot. Finally, at Tap Seac Square, the giant Italian puppet ‘VIVA’ welcomes the Parade followers to the Grand Finale “Peace, Love and Cultural Integration”, which brings the event to a close with a multi-media performance. The giant puppet VIVA will remain on Tap Seac Square from 21st to 26th December.
Related Events and Enquiries
To promote this extravaganza far and wide and create a joyous ambience throughout the entire city, TDM will transmit a live broadcast of the event. Furthermore, the Cultural Affairs Bureau will install outdoor screens at several locations – St. Dominic’s Square, Rotunda de Carlos da Maia, Areia Preta Park, Avenida do Infante D. Henrique and Travessa de S. Paulo (Tourism and Cultural Activities Centre) – displaying a live simulcast from 4 to 7pm on 20th December, for the convenience of residents from other parts of the city. The organiser is also holding a series of related events in parallel, including a photography contest (divided into student and public categories) and a downloadable mobile game app (with the chance to win prizes). The organiser has recruited nearly 500 VIVA Ambassadors this year and is providing them with advance off-site and on-site training in preparation for the big show on 20th December.
Streets along the parade route will be temporarily closed to traffic on parade day, and first-aid stations and service centres (for souvenirs and information) will be available along the route. For convenience and environmental health, residents are encouraged to walk to the parade venues on foot or use public transportation. For more details about the event and its contents, please visit the Bureau’s website at www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/macaoparade.
