Cultural Affairs Bureau celebrates China Cultural Heritage Day
Exhibition and performances of Henan Intangible Heritage reveal the rich heritage of Chinese civilization

In celebration of the 10^th anniversary of Macao’s inscription on the World Heritage List as well of the 2015 China Cultural Heritage Day, “Genesis and Spirit - Showcase of Henan Province Intangible Cultural Heritage” is held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the PRC, the Henan Province of the People’s Government and the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, organized by the Bureau for External Cultural Relations and Office for Cultural Affairs with the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions of the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR and the Department of Culture of Henan Province and the collaboration of Galaxy MacauTM. This showcase aims to introduce the variety of Henan Province intangible cultural heritage to the population, through exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops and a lecture, among others.

The opening ceremony of “Genesis and Spirit - Showcase of Henan Province Intangible Cultural Heritage” was held on 13 June, Saturday, at 11am, at the Galaxy MacauTM East Square, where Henan Province traditional art and artistic techniques was on display, totalling ten intangible cultural heritage representative items such as Wooden Plates with New Year Images from Zhuxian City, Lanterns (Paper Lanterns from Kaifeng City), Paper cutting, Clay Figurines (Clay dogs from the Huaiyang municipality), Bian Embroidery, Collages with Wheat Stems, Tang Sancai Figurines Making Techniques, Sword Smelting Techniques (Tangxi Swords Smelting Process), Yellow River Carved Ink Stones and Qin Silk Art, all with high artistic and cultural value and fully reflecting the incessant creative spirit of the Chinese civilization. The showcase is on display from now until 28 June, from 10am to 10pm daily, at Galaxy MacauTM East Square. Admission is free.

In the opening ceremony, the Vice-Minister of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Tie, conferred the National Intangible Cultural Heritage plates to the representatives of the associations which presented the applications of “A-Ma Customs and Beliefs of Macao” and “Na Cha Customs and Beliefs of Macao” Z-the Director of the Chinese Opera Association of the Terrestrial and Maritime Dwellers of Barra, Macao, Chan Kin Chun, the Chairman of Associação do Templo da Calçada das Verdades de Macao, Fong King Fu, and the Chairman of Associação do Templo Na Cha, Ip Tat thereby affirming the representativeness of these two traditional beliefs.

After the opening ceremony, the Cultural Affairs Bureau hosted a lunch reception to thank the Ministry of Culture of the PRC, the Department of Culture of Henan Province as well as the artisans for their support, in addition to celebrating the successful launch of the event. During the reception, the Cultural Affairs Bureau showed a promotional video about the “Commemorative activities of the 10th anniversary of the inscription of ‘The Historic Centre of Macao’ on the World Heritage List” to allow the guests to better understand the characteristics and value of Macao’s cultural heritage and to encourage cultural exchange.

Moreover, on 14 June, at 2:30pm, the Mandarin’s House hosted the lecture “General Overview on the Protection Works of Henan Province Intangible Cultural Heritage”, conducted by Liu Chunxiao, Vice-Chairman of the Specialist Committee on Henan Province Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection and Chief of the Division of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Department of Culture of Henan Province. The lecture was conducted in Mandarin. More information on the commemorative activities of the 10th anniversary of Macao’s inscription on the World Heritage List is available on the webpage www.icm.gov.mo/mhd10

The opening ceremony of “Genesis and Spirit - Showcase of Henan Province Intangible Cultural Heritage” was officiated by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Alexis, Tam Chon Weng; the Vice-Minister of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Tie; the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R., Sun Da; the Deputy Director of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Fuzhou; the Assistant Director-General of the Bureau for External Cultural Relations and Office for Culture Affairs with the Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Regions of the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, Li Baozong; the Deputy Head of the Department of Public Diplomacy and Information of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao S.A.R., Li Xiaoquan; the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Ung Vai Meng; the Vice-Director of the Department of Culture of Henan Province, Kang Jie and the Group Director – Human Resources & Administration, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Eileen, Lui Wai Ling.