In order to showcase the achievements of the restoration, use and revitalisation of heritage buildings to the public, the Cultural Affairs Bureau presents the exhibition “Pátio Memories – Exhibition of Life in Pátios and Becos in the Bygone Days” at Pátio da Eterna Felicidade, allowing the public to experience the life of Macao people in the bygone days and deepen their understanding of the architectural and spatial characteristics of the buildings. With the restoration work on the exterior façade of the buildings at No. 8 and No. 10, Pátio da Eterna Felicidade completed and the outdoor space at No. 14, Pátio da Eterna Felicidade opened, visitors can appreciate the architectural appearance of the Pátio da Eterna Felicidade.
The opening ceremony was held on 6 February, at 3pm, at the Pátio da Eterna Felicidade, and was officiated by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Mok Ian Ian; the Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; the Deputy Chief of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Xin Jianbo; the Member of the Administration Committee on Municipal Affairs of the Municipal Affairs Bureau, Lam Sio Un; the Chairman of the Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association, Lau Veng Seng; the Director of Macao Daily News, Lok Po; and the President of the Macau Artist Society, Lok Hei; and was attended by the Vice President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leong Wai Man; the Members of the Cultural Consultative Committee, including José Luís de Sales Marques, Siu Pei Tak, Ieng Weng Fat, Kuok Keng Man and Chiang Siu Ling Samantha; the Members of the Cultural Heritage Committee, including Lee Hay Ip, Leong Chong In, Ip Tat, Choi Tin Tin, Ferreira Manuel Iok Pui, Mok Chi Wai, Tam Chi Kuong and Ho Ka Chi; the former member of the Cultural Consultative Committee, Lei Ip Fei; the architect, Lui Chak Keong; the Head of the Department of Cultural Heritage of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Choi Kin Long; the Head of the Department of Exhibitions and Museums of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Sam Hou In; and the Head of the Division of Visual Art of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Lam Vai Ip.
Currently there are nearly 200 streets named “pátio” or “beco” in Macao. Among them, the area of Pátio da Eterna Felicidade near the Ruins of St. Paul’s College and Freguesia de Santo António is relatively large and has been better preserved. It features traditional Chinese residential buildings of varying heights but in a coherent style, showing the distinctive characteristics of pátios. This exhibition will present the daily lives of residents in pátios in the past through illustrations, videos and photographs in a diverse and interesting way, themed on three essential aspects in our lives – “food”, “lifestyle” and “playtime”, revealing the culture and customs of people living in pátios and becos in bygone days. In collaboration with local illustrator Un Chi Wai, the exhibition features a variety of scenes and characters inspired by the life in pátios and becos, making it a lively and interesting experience for the public.
In order to enhance the exhibition with interactive elements and deepen the public’s understanding of its contents, as well as to promote the transmission and conservation of local history and culture, the Zero Distance Cooperative was invited to host the activity “Storytelling” designed for families in various sessions from February to March this year, telling stories about Macao through interactive theatre. Two sessions of this activity, conducted in Cantonese, will be held on 7 February at 3:30pm and 4:30pm, respectively, at Pátio da Eterna Felicidade. Successful applicants are advised to arrive at the venue on time.
In the future, the Cultural Affairs Bureau will make use of the open space near Pátio da Eterna Felicidade to organise thematic activities related to the culture of pátios and becos from time to time, and will continue to carry out reinforcement and restoration works, striving to complete the revitalisation plan for the area as soon as possible and develop it into a future cultural and leisure area. “Pátio Memories – Exhibition of Life in Pátios and Becos in the Bygone Days” will be held from 7 February at No. 10, Pátio da Eterna Felicidade (the entrance is at Beco dos Faitiões, which can be reached from Rua de Santo António/ Rua de S. Paulo) and is open from 10am to 7pm, including on public holidays. Admission is free. For enquiries about the exhibition, please contact IC through tel. no. 8988 4000 during office hours or visit the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s website at www.icm.gov.mo.