Message
Throughout the long history of Sino-Lusophone friendly exchange, Macao has always served as a bridge of communication between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Chinese and Western cultures have converged and integrated with each other and live in harmony in the city, creating magnificent cultural symphonies.
To extend the historical context and jointly create a wonderful future, the “Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” has been held since 2018 as an event to promote the in-depth artistic and cultural exchange between these countries. Through activities in various forms, including a showcase, an exhibition, a film festival, and the Lusofonia Festival, we hope to introduce to Macao residents and tourists from around the world the profound connotations and unique appeal of both Chinese and Lusophone cultures.
The 6th Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries once again features a host of impressive programmes and will be held as part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival to complement programmes simultaneously hosted in Hong Kong and a number of Guangdong cities, while also further highlighting Macao’s role as a “base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist” and distinctively contributing toward the development of a Cultured Greater Bay Area.
This year marks both the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao’s Return to the Motherland. I sincerely wish the upcoming 6th “Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries” a great success and that participating artists can experience the pulse of the times in the Greater Bay Area while also extending the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and mutual-learning, so as to create a better tomorrow together for both China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.
Ao Ieong U
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government
Preface
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao SAR. Following the 6th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade and Co-operation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries concluded successfully earlier this year, the 6th “Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, as an important platform of cultural exchange between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, will present a vivid, vibrant and thrilling feast of cultural exchange under the mutual goal of advancing Sino-Lusophone cooperation to a larger scope, a broader spectrum, and a higher level.
Over years of convergence, the city bears traces of Sino-Lusophone cultural integration which can be seen everywhere. Drawing on this distinctive advantage, this edition of the Arts and Cultural Festival between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries will present various activities featuring Chinese and Lusophone cultures. The Lusofonia Festival, which spans across two weeks, combines music and dance, games and gastronomy, allowing the public to immerse themselves in the historical sites. Various art groups from Mainland China, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, East Timor and Goa, and Daman and Diu, will present passionate and lively performances across different neighbourhoods in Macao, showcasing the charm of diverse cultures. The “Annual Arts Exhibition between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries” and the “Chinese and Portuguese Picture Book Fair” will present a captivating trove of contemporary artworks, street art pieces and picture books. In addition, the “China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries Film Festival” themed “Creating an Interesting Contrast”, invites the public to be immersed in an extraordinary cinematic world. It is noteworthy that the internationally acclaimed singer Tito Paris from Cape Verde was invited to present a concert in collaboration with the Macao Chinese Orchestra for the first time, revealing the beauty of cultural dialogues.
The 6th Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries will be held as part of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival, complementing its programmes hosted in Hong Kong and a number of Guangdong cities to jointly contribute to the development of a Cultured Bay Area.
The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government is committed to building Macao into a “base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist” and forging its new business card as a “City of Performing Arts”. Upholding the mission of strengthening mutual learning among civilisations, embracing heritage and innovation, enhancing diversified dialogues and bonds between people, we will further promote the friendship between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries and demonstrate the charm of Macao as a city of cultural diversity in harmony.
Leong Wai Man
President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government
ABOUT THIS FESTIVAL
Sino-Portuguese Cultural Encounter in Music and Dance
Entering its sixth edition, the event “Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries” unleashes the charm of Macao as a city of Sino-Portuguese cultural and artistic encounter and constantly furthers Macao’ as a “Cultural Exchange Centre between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries” through the annual exchange, taking culture as link and the arts as the medium.
The 6th “Arts and Cultural Festival between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries” will present nearly 70 sessions of activities in seven series, with the “Lusofonia Festival” to be held concurrently for two consecutive weeks, as well as a variety of activities, including a Sino-Portuguese arts exhibition, a picture book fair, a traditional music and dance performance in the community, a film festival, a concert, and a wine tasting workshop, which will be held at different venues such as historic cultural heritage buildings, residential neighbourhoods and modern theatres, giving play to the kaleidoscopic integration of cultures from different regions.
The long-standing friendship between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries remains strong as always. On the occasion of the “Encounter in Macao”, let us experience the cultural integration between these countries and jointly facilitate exchange and mutual learning among these civilisations while immersing ourselves in music and dance to create a better world.