Due to the global spread of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, the Cultural affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), after careful evaluation, announced the cancellation of a number of performances and “2020 Macao Library Week” that may generate crowd gathering, including the shows Matilda The Musical scheduled for next month. In addition, in order to protect the health of the public, the activity “4.23 Reading in the City” will be carried out online.
The eight shows of the production Matilda The Musical by the Royal Shakespeare Company were originally scheduled to be held from 14 to 19 April at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. The Macao Cultural Centre is actively discussing with the production and performing entity on the rescheduling of the performance Matilda The Musical, hoping to seek another suitable period to present this wonderful programme.
Due to the global spread of the epidemic, a number of other programmes were cancelled. IC will arrange refund for ticket holders from today until 30 June. Holders of tickets for the following shows may contact the Macau Ticketing Network outlets for refund procedures when the epidemic is relieved: the concert “Melodious Chamber Music” by the Macao Orchestra on 3 April, the concert “The Future Conductors” by the Macao Chinese Orchestra on 11 April, Matilda the Musical from 14 to 19 April , and the concert “A Night at the Zenith – Zhang Guoyong and Macao Chinese Orchestra” on 24 April. Other shows with free admission will be cancelled, including the “Easter Concert – Stabat Mater” on 11 April; while the concerts “Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day: A Tribute to Nature” on 18 and 19 April, and the concert “A Night with the World’s Top Trombonist” on 24 April, will be postponed.
The activity “4.23 Reading in the City” will be carried out online this year. A reading instructor will recommend books to the public through the internet, sharing reading experiences and encouraging residents to maintain reading habits during the period of the epidemic. In order to cooperate with the preventive measures and avoid crowd gathering, the “2020 Macao Library Week” and its associated activities, including book exchange, periodical sales, workshops and game booths, will be cancelled.
Various crowd control measures have been implemented in the reopened cultural facilities to limit the number of visitors and a number of activities held at the cultural facilities were cancelled. The Mount Fortress Garden, one of the busking points in the Busking Programme, has been reopened. Other busking points still remain closed. Some of the cultural facilities will remain closed due to the space conditions. The reopening date of such facilities will be announced in due course.
IC continues to pay close attention to the development of the situation of the epidemic and will deploy appropriate measures in a timely manner, urging all sectors to cooperate with the preventive measures of the SAR Government. Let’s all persist; avoid crowd gathering; wash hands frequently; wear a mask properly; declare health condition; reduce leaving Macao. For updates, please visit IC’s website at www.icm.gov.mo, its official WeChat account “ICMacao” or “IC Art” page on Facebook.