The colours of culture

Macau is a city steeped in history and rich cultural diversity, and every year, the celebrations of Cultural Week highlight the colourful and fascinating ethnic influences within the city.

 

Organised by the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries (Macau) and co-organised by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) and Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), this year, Cultural Week will run from October 28 to November 7. This year's celebrations commemorate the "Portuguese Forum (Macao) Fourth Ministerial Conference" and the tenth anniversary of the Sino-Portuguese forum.

 

It is also the fifth year of the event, which aims to present cultural ideas, handicrafts and experiences related to the Lusophone world through contemporary approaches. As in previous years, Cultural Week will celebrate cultural diversity and showcase an energetic spectrum of cultural achievements for the enjoyment of locals and visitors alike.According to the organiser, it is important to find positive, productive, and creative ways of encouraging the entire local community to appreciate and celebrate this city’s unique cultural roots. It is also valuable for all people to have an opportunity to celebrate, share, and show pride in their various cultural backgrounds, and to get involved in cultural and ethnic activities in a way that they might not otherwise experience.

 

Since starting in 2008, Cultural Week has served as a bridge connecting the peoples of the Lusophone world with local residents and tourists, bringing them together to share aspects of their culture, faith and language, and celebrate the benefits multiculturalism brings to Macau. 

 

Adding to the flavour of this year’s event, a delegation of representatives of the various ethnic minorities of Anhui province in China has also been invited to participate in the activities of the event.

 

To begin this year’s Cultural Week, an arts and crafts bazaar will be held in Carmo Market in Taipa daily from 4pm to 9pm, featuring hundreds of intriguing handmade cultural items from artisans of Macau, Anhui province, and ten Portuguese-speaking countries and regions including Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau, Goa, Daman and Diu, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe.  

 

According to the organiser, the skilled crafts people will gather to exchange views on reinventing their cultural products and showcase their unique talents in traditional wood crafting, clothes making and jewellery production. The bazaar will serve as a platform for the public to view the creativity of the different nations, and to see the items being made firsthand.  All the items will also be available for purchase, of course.

 

Delicious food is always one of the best ways to appreciate different cultures and for the whole of Cultural Week, Sheraton Macau’s signature restaurant FEAST will be offering tantalizing flavours of authentic cuisine from a variety of Portuguese-speaking countries. Top chefs from ten countries and regions have been invited to prepare their hometown delicacies. 

 

 

Finally, from October 29 to 31 in Senado Square, a number of teams from Macau, Portuguese-speaking countries and Anhui province will take to the stage every evening from 7pm to 10:30pm to entertain audiences with a vibrant and energetic display of cultural music and songs. The exciting programme also features a fantastic parade of singing and dancing. The parade will start from the Ruins of St. Paul’s façade at 4pm on November 3, and process down to Senado Square. To enhance the excitement and fun, passers-by and spectators will be invited to sing and dance with performers and join in the festive atmosphere. 

 

In order to encourage locals to capture any touching moments that happen during the week, a photo competition will be organised to commemorate this cultural celebration. The winning photos will then be displayed in future exhibitions.