Academic Seminar on Cultural Heritage Conservation in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Macao as World Heritage

In order to promote the “Historic Centre of Macao” as well as studies on the protection of Macao’s heritage, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) organizes on Sunday, 12 of July, at 11am, at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre – Grand Hall (4^th floor), the “Opening Ceremony of the 10^th Anniversary of the Historic Centre of Macao as World Heritage – International Academic Seminar on the Conservation of the Cultural Heritage and Book Launch”. The event will include the launch of a series of works related to heritage protection, as well as the achievements of related research projects. With the support of the Ministry of Culture of the P.R.C, IC co-organizes, with the Centre for Macau Studies of the Macau University, the “International Academic Seminar on the Conservation of the Cultural Heritage”, experts were invited to present papers, so as to drive forward related fields that allow for a scientific and sustainable development.

Present at the ceremony were Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Alexis, Tam Chon Weng;Vice-Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of the People’s Republic of China, Tong Mingkang; Director of the Palace Museum of the Forbidden City in Beijing, Shan Jixiang; Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao S.A.R, Zhang Xiaoguang; Deputy Director-General 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; President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Ung Vai Meng; Rector of the University of Macau, Zhao Wei.

Since the inscription of the Historic Centre of Macao on the World Heritage List on the 15 of July, 2005, Macao witnessed a rise in its cultural status, which brought new opportunities for the city’s diversified development while, at the same time, gradually raised the society’s interest and awareness in heritage protection. In order to mark the 10th anniversary of that inscription, IC organizes this Seminar that includes speeches by the Vice-Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of the People’s Republic of China, Tong Mingkang, and by the President of IC, Ung Vai Meng, and will count with the presence of several prominent guests, thus celebrating this occasion with enthusiasm. Invitations were made to more than 30 scholars, writers, representatives of supporting entities and other guests, as well as close to 200 people from immovable world heritage management organizations, members of the Cultural Heritage Council, higher education professors and students, organizations specialized in similar fields, representatives from foreign entities and governmental departments, and local citizens, revealing the population’s concern and enthusiasm with heritage protection.

The seminar counts with numerous local and foreign experts long dedicated to cultural heritage research, training, protection and planning, among other areas, who will present papers related to cultural heritage protection, namely: “Retrospect and Prospect on the Conservation Works of Cultural Heritage in Macao” by the President of IC, Ung Vai Meng; “The Future of the City or the City of the Future - Culture as an Enabler for Sustainable Development”, by the UNESCO Chair in Urban Design and Conservation Studies and professor at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Michael Turner; “Conservation of World Cultural Heritage in Macao in the Framework of ‘One Belt, One Road’”, byShan Jixiang, Director of the Palace Museum of The Forbidden City; “Keeping it Outstanding－Some Observations on Conservation Controls and Incentives”, by the Vice-President of ICOMOS, Peter Phillips; “The Spectacle of Residence and Garden of Macao during the Early 19th Century: Seeing from “Description of a View of Macao in China” by Robert Burford”, byTang Kaijian, Professor of the Department of History of the University of Macau; “The World Heritage Site of “The Historic Centre of Macao” in the Vision of Historic Urban Landscapes”, byGuo Zhan,Former Vice-President of ICOMOS; “What is the Best Way to Use the World Heritage Sites in Macao”, by Hae Un Rii, Professor of Dongguk University in Seoul, Republic of Korea; and “Culture Heritage Conservation in Macao: A Comprehensive and Integral Approach”, byZhang Bing,Chief Planner of China Academy of Urban Planning and Design. Furthermore, local practicing architect and Chair of Docomomo Macau, Rui Leao, will share his viewpoint on the protection of Macao’s cultural heritage.

The “Series of Activities in Celebration of the 10^th Anniversary of Macao as World Heritage” is organised by IC with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the P.R.C., the People’s Government of Henan Province, the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao S.A.R. Government, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of the P.R.C., the Bureau for External Cultural Relations and Office for Culture Affairs with the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Regions of the Ministry of Culture of the P.R.C, the Department of Culture of Henan Province, the Macau Government Tourist Office, the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Macao Sport Development Board, the Macao Post, TDM, the Centre for Macau Studies of the University of Macau, the Macau University of Science and Technology, the Shanghai Library, the Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House, the Bank of China – Macau Branch, the newspaper Macau Daily News, the Galaxy MacauTM, the Macao Carpentry Trade Union, the Tu Tei Mio Patane Mercy and Charity Association, Gray Line Tours Macau Limited and the Macao Heritage Ambassadors Association, among other entities. For more information on these activities, please visit the webpage www.icm.gov.mo/mhd10 or call IC through tel. no. 8399 6699, during office hours.