The “Parade through Macao, Latin City”, organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), will be held on 14 December in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Macao’s handover to China.
To assure the Parade is well received and counts with the participation of all citizens, IC organised a VIVA Ambassador team to provide volunteer services for the event. An oath ceremony took place on Saturday, 6 December, at 3pm, at the Largo da Companhia de Jesus, when almost 500 VIVA Ambassadors declared their solidarity and dedication to the event, aiming to ensure the Parade is run smoothly.
The VIVA Ambassadors recruitment campaign has drawn support from the Recreation Club of the Bank of China, Macao Branch; Macao Community Youth Volunteers Development Association; General Volunteers Association of Macao; Association of Volunteer Social Service Macao; which have recruited nearly 500 Macao residents to take on the role of VIVA Ambassadors and offer their voluntary services during the Parade. Under the guidance of IC staff, they will participate in training activities such as site inspections and Parade rehearsals. On the day of the parade, they will help to maintain the order of the parade, guide the audience and distribute souvenirs, besides facilitating the interaction and communication between the public and the performers. The VIVA Ambassadors’ participation is crucial to the success of this grand event, helping spread the festive mood of the Macao S.A.R. anniversary throughout the city.
As the largest outdoor event in celebration of Macao’s handover to China, the “Parade through Macao, Latin City” has been very successful since its first edition in 2011. It was watched by over 100 thousand spectators, among participants, viewers of televised emissions and outdoor screens set up around the city, making it an unprecedented event.
This year, the Parade continues to promote the concept of “peace, love and cultural integration”. As a major event in celebration of Macao’s handover to China, it joins hands with local and international performing groups, who will animate Macao citizens and tourists in streets and lanes of the Historical Centre of Macao, with dance and performances. The climax will finally be reached when the audience gathers at Tap Seac Square for the closing performance “Peace, Love and Cultural Integration Gala Show”, set against the perfect backdrop that also represents the city’s East-meets-West charm.
