In order to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library and to commemorate the generosity of Sir Robert Ho Tung in donating the building to the Macao Government for the establishment of a public library, the Cultural Affairs Bureau holds a series of activities in August, including a thematic talk, a sketching activity, a guided tour, etc., as well as a plaque unveiling ceremony. A thamatic website will be launched so as to present the public the history and the development of Sir Robert Ho Tung Library and of the Chinese Ancient Books Chamber.
The Public Library held a plaque unveiling ceremony on 4 August (Saturday), at 3pm, at the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, officiated by the Head of the Department of Public Library Management of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Tang Mei Lin; the great-grandson of Sir Robert Ho Tung and President of the Foundation of Ho Tung International Relations Study, Sean Eric Mclean Hotung and Dr. Mary Jean Reimer. In addition, the representatives of the Ho Tung family donated Sir Robert Ho Tung’s belongings, including his books of accounts and personal correspondence, to the Cultural Affairs Bureau.
Before it was turned into a library, the building was Sir Robert Ho Tung’s private residence bought by in 1918. After his death in 1956, Ho’s family executed his will by donating the building and HK$25,000 to the Macao Government to purchase books and turn it into a Chinese public library. The Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, at the time the largest Chinese public library featuring a collection of about 3,000 books, officially opened to the public on 1 August, 1958.
The Public Library also launched a thematic website to introduce the history of the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library to the public as well as the contributions of the donor, Sir Robert Ho Tung. Meanwhile, a series of diversified activities will be held at the Library. On 4 August, 2018 (Saturday) at 4pm, the thematic talk: ‘Steeped in History – Reflections from Sir Robert Ho Tung Library Building’ will be held by Architect Carlos Marreiros who, along with Architect Francisco Figueira, coordinated, during the 1980's and at the beginning of the 1990's, the building's refurbishment as well as the gardens renewal.
This talk will share with the public the process behind the rehabilitation of the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, its architectural and historical characteristics and other related subjects.
Architect Andre Lui Chak Keong will conduct the ‘Relaxing Moment at St. Augustine’s Square – Guided Architectural Tour and Sketching Activity’ on 5 August (Sunday) and on 18 August (Saturday) at 3pm, introducing Eastern and Western architecture in the area near St. Augustine's Square, and assisting the participants in sketching the urban landscape of the area and sharing information about the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library and the historical buildings nearby as to architectural and artistic aspects. The Public Library will also organize a guided tour to the Chinese Ancient Books Chamber at Sir Robert Ho Tung Library on 11 August (Saturday), at 3:30pm, allowing the public to have a better understanding of the Library and the Chinese Ancient Books Chamber.
For more details of the activities, please visit the “60th anniversary of Sir Robert Ho Tung Library” website at www.library.gov.mo/zh-hant/HTlib60 or the Macao Public Library website at www.library.gov.mo or call the MPL through tel. no. 2893 0077 or 2825 9220, during office hours.