24^th Lusofonia Festival to be held in December

Organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, co-organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office and the Municipal Affairs Bureau, and supported by the Coca-Cola Beverages Co., Ltd. and Rentokil Initial Hong Kong Limited-Macau Branch, the 24^th Lusofonia Festival, integrated in the 3^rd “Encounter in Macao - Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”, will be held from 10 to 12 December at the Taipa Houses. The Festival has a diversified activities programme, including cultural booths from the local lusophone communities, music and dance performances, gastronomy and games, allowing the public to experience the Portuguese customs and traditions and feel the Festival’s cheerful atmosphere.

The first edition of the Lusofonia Festival was held in 1998 and has become an important event aimed at sharing the culture of the Portuguese-speaking communities with the Chinese community over the years. Over the three days of the Festival, 10 cultural booths of the Macao Portuguese-speaking communities will be set, namely Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Goa, Daman and Diu, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, East Timor and the Macanese community, introducing their music, arts and crafts, traditional costumes, gastronomy and tourist information, as well as typical food and drinks from their countries or regions. During the Festival, nearly thirty local lusophone performing groups and a performing group from Mainland China will show different types of music and dance on the Festival’s main stage at the Taipa Amphitheater, and soft music on the stage at Largo do Carmo.

Furthermore, visitors of all ages can participate in traditional Portuguese games, including climbing the tallow stick, wooden ski run, tug of war and sack race, which will be held at Largo do Carmo on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. There will be also table football tournaments and various games for children on Saturday and Sunday at the Taipa Houses. The temporary “Radio Carmo” station will be on site broadcasting lusophone music throughout the Festival, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

In order to allow the visitors to taste the cuisines from different Portuguese-speaking countries, a temporary restaurant serving Portuguese dishes will be set up. serving Portuguese food at lunch (on Saturday and Sunday) and dinner time in the Taipa Municipal Garden. Only at dinner, in Largo do Carmo specialties of various Portuguese-speaking countries and regions will also be served. A kiosk serving typical Portuguese snacks and drinks can be found next to the entrance to the Taipa Houses. Eating and drinking is restricted in the dining area, and participants must strictly comply with the epidemic prevention guidelines.

This three-day Festival offers cultural displays from the local Lusophone communities, music and dance shows, games for participants of all ages and typical cuisine, allowing visitors to socialize in a festive atmosphere and experience the vitality of the Portuguese-speaking countries people. Local population and tourists are welcomed to participate in this fun and joyful party. For more information, please visit the webpage of “Encounter in Macao - Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”at www.icm.gov.mo/FCP, “IC Art” page on Facebook and its WeChat account “IC_Art_Macao”.