The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. held the “Parade through Macao, Latin City” in commemoration of the 14th Anniversary of Macao’s Handover to China on December 20th, the day marking the establishment of the Macao S.A.R. The Parade is once again held under the slogans “Peace, Love and Cultural Integration” and “An annual celebration for the entire city – VIVA!”, and this year is themed “The Rhythm of Life”. It attracted viewership of over one hundred thousand including the audience present at the parade, those who watched the live televised broadcast and the simulcast on five outdoor screens at various locations.
The opening ceremony took place at the Ruins of St. Paul’s (Largo da Companhia de Jesus) at 3:30pm. Officiating the opening ceremony were the Chief Executive of the Macau SAR Government, Chui Sai On; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau SAR, Chen Sixi; Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Hu Zhengyue; Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau S.A.R. Government, Dr. Cheong U; Consul General of Peru in Hong Kong and Macau, Mr. David Malaga; Consul General of Portugal in Macau, Mr. Vitor Sereno; Chief of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr. Tam Chon Weng; Coordinator of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Zhang Aiping; President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Dr. Ung Vai Meng.
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, as well as VIVA Ambassadors supporters, namely 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 and the Recreation Club of the Bank of China, Macao Branch. This edition is also fully supported by Air Macao Co, Ltd. In addition, TDM (Teledifusão de Macau, S.A.) is serving as the designated television broadcaster.
Artists bring the Ruins of St. Paul’s to life; “Peace, Love and Cultural Integration” at the grand finale at Tap Seac Square
This year’s parade tells the story of the smart and kind-hearted VIVA who sleeps in the arms of the Magic Tree and dreams that the Magic Clock that controls the life of all creatures on earth has stopped. When he wakes up, he fears life on Earth is under threat. He then decides to search for the four sleeping guardian angels: childhood (Love), youth (Freedom), adulthood (Harmony) and old age (Peace). In order to wake them up, Viva tells the peoples of the world they must unite. This way, people from different countries and regions get together and lovingly wake up the deities with beautiful dances, impressive acrobatics and dazzling magic. In the end, they join voices in a chant of joy, conveying the harmonious concept of “Peace, Love and Cultural Integration.”
The Parade route is the same as last year’s, 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, culminating in a grand joint performance at Tap Seac Square, at 6pm. Residents and tourists can contribute to this day’s joyous ambience by joining and following the parade at any point on the route.
This year’s Parade embraces performing groups from over 10 countries and regions including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Burkina Faso, among others, as well as Taiwan, Hong Kong and Mainland China. This extravaganza includes three artistic directors from Italy, performances by PIA – Projectos de Intervenção Artística from Portugal, French group Les Grandes Personnes, Hong Kong Youth Marching Band, the Peruvian Teatro del Milenio, Italian Flag Wavers and Be Fantasy Bubble Arts from Taiwan. Joining them in the Parade are 50 local groups, bringing the total estimate of performers to an amazing 2,000 creative participants.
Cultural diversity culminates with grand joint performance at Tap Seac Square
This year’s parade features shows for all ages and tastes, welcoming the audience at any point on the route. The Rua de S. Paulo this year hosts humorous Mime Shows that will break the barrier between the stage and the audience. An Enchanted Dance Floor will take over St. Anthony’s Square, where Latin and belly dance with join Chinese folk dances, while pure voices and bells spread Enchanting Sounds through the Companhia de Jesus Square reminding the audience of traditional nursery rhymes. Pátio do Espinho witnesses an exciting Street Dance Game while the Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro will be filled with western and eastern Lingering Melodies. Portuguese Folk Dance and Music brings Portuguese flavours to Rua de Sanches de Miranda. The peaceful Old Ladies’ House comes to life amid a Wonderland of Dance and Creative Giants invade the Rua Nova de São Lázaro. Finally, artists performing Stunts on Stilts welcome the parade to Tap Seac Square, where artists and audience come together for the Grand Finale “Peace, Love and Cultural Integration”, which brings the event to a close with hypnotising performances which include four giant puppets transformed into the guardian angels of childhood (love), youth (freedom), adulthood (harmony) and old age (peace).
Related Events
To promote this extravaganza far and wide and create a joyous ambience throughout the entire city, several related events are held in parallel, including one pre-show in Taipa, attracting over 500 audiences to watch the performances. Supported by Air Macau, a Facebook lucky draw attracted about 1,000 participants. On the parade day, TDM broadcasted the entire event live. Furthermore, Hong Kong’s TVB also covered the Parade: the event was featured on the programme ‘Scoop’, on Parade day, at 7.30pm, as well as on a Parade Special Programme, to be broadcast on December 25, from 7 to 7.30pm. Furthermore, CCTV-4 will broadcast a special feature programme globally in January 2014, spreading the joy of the parade to various corners of the world.
After the parade day, the four giant puppets will remain on display until December 26. Local puppeteers will be teaching local residents to control the giant puppets from 23 to 25 December, from 4 to 5pm, and 8 to 9pm; and on December 26, from 4 to 5pm.
