The 2019 Macao International Parade, organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), and supported by various government departments and civic entities, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Macao’s Handover to China, was held on Sunday, 8 December. Nearly 1,800 artists of 80 participating groups, including local groups and groups from the countries and regions of the Initiative “One Belt, One Road”. With a large procession brimming with vitality and passion, the Parade gathered together an array of culture and art from along the countries and regions of the Initiative and forged a platform connecting Macao to the world through energetic artistic performances during the celebration.
The Parade kicked off with drumming by the officiating guests, including the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Alexis Tam Chon Weng; the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Xue Xiaofeng; the Consul-General of Portugal in Macao, Paulo Cunha Alves ; the Acting Consul-General of the Republic of Angola in Macao, Estanislau dos Santos ; the Consul of the Royal Thai in Hong Kong, Athi Disatha-Amnarj; the Vice-Consul of the Russian Federation in Hong Kong, Boris Ezdrin; the Head of Cultural, Educational and Sport Affairs of Consulate General of Hungary in Hong Kong, Diana Danyi; the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Mok Ian Ian; the Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office of the Macao SAR Government, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; the Deputy Director of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Kong Chi Meng and the Deputy Commissioner of the Fire Services Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Chao Ka Cheong.
The initiative “One Belt, One Road”, spanning the three continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, and covering several regions such as Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, boasts a splendid diversity of culture. In response to this year’s theme which was dedicated to the cultures of the initiative “One Belt, One Road”, 19 artistic groups from 16 of these countries and regions, namely Ukraine, Poland, Italy, Belarus, Angola, Kenya, Chile, Russia, Cyprus, Portugal, Hungary, New Zealand, Myanmar, Thailand, Zhanjiang of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong, were invited to participate in the Parade, while local participating groups joined the Parade as either “Themed Parade Groups” with their own performances based on the cultures or folklore of the countries and regions or “Artistic Parade Groups” to showcase their own characteristics. All the participating groups presented extraordinary performances, allowing the audience to experience a diverse range of culture and art and bringing “an annual celebration for the entire city – VIVA!”
The participating groups passed through Rua de S. Paulo and Senado Square, among other areas, where they interacted with spectators along the way, parading one after another. They then gathered at the VIVA Carnival on Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, where a seating area was made available to the spectators for the first time this year, and competed for a range of different prizes. During the Carnival, there were giant inflatable puppet performance and game booths for the public to participate. The participating groups finally arrived at the Sai Van Lake Square for the Handover Celebration, a feast of “Love, Peace and Cultural Integration”.
The Parade has marked its ninth year since its first edition in 2011. Every year the event has served as the perfect platform for cultural and artistic exchange, inviting the city’s whole population to enjoy the festive atmosphere in various ways. This year’s Parade held 16 outreach performances in the community, as well as 18 sharing sessions and workshops in schools since late November, introducing and bringing art close to residents and students. Other outreach activities such as the “MOMEplay prize-winning game”, “Voting for the Most Popular Group” and “2019 Macao International Parade” photography contest also received an enthusiastic response with widespread participation.
In addition, in order to allow more residents and tourists to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Parade, TDM - Teledifusão de Macau, S.A. broadcasted the entire event live and outdoor screens were installed in several locations, including Iao Hon Garden, Rotunda Carlos da Maia, Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro and the area next to Flower City Garden on Rua de Coimbra, Taipa. A live broadcast was also offered on several new media platforms online including the mobile and Weibo applications of CCTV-NEWS, China Global Television Network (CGTN)’s page on Facebook, the Parade’s page on Facebook and TDM’s Multimedia platform (including TDM’s website and mobile application). This year’s Parade attracted many spectators to experience the lively celebration of Macao’s handover, including those who participated in the Parade and those who watched the live broadcast.
The “Macao International Parade” is one of the major events celebrating Macao’s handover to China. The event is organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and co-organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office, the Sports Bureau, the Municipal Affairs Bureau, the Public Security Police Force, the Transport Bureau, the Fire Services Bureau and the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, and supported by the Macao General Union of Neighbourhood Associations, Air Macau Co., Ltd.. TDM - Teledifusão de Macau S.A. is the designated live television broadcaster. The Cultural Affairs Bureau also receives support from the Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Resorts and Entertainment Limited, MGM, Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A., Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre, AJ Hackett Macau Tower and Grand Lisboa Hotel.