TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ELOI SCARVA / TRANSLATION DAISY WONG
Macau 2049, an ambitious project directed by renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, officially opened at MGM Cotai in December last year. The first resident show at the MGM Cotai Theatre, Macau 2049 marks a new era of cultural performances that connect China’s rich heritage with contemporary technological innovations. Lasting 80 minutes, the show is divided into eight acts, each offering a unique experience that combines music, dance and visual storytelling in a stunning setting, and featuring elements such as lion dances, traditional Miao music and the famous Peking Opera, among others.
Since its conception, Macau 2049 aimed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macau’s handover to China. Through the collaboration of 20 top-level international teams, the show not only entertains, but also educates audiences about the diversity and richness of Chinese culture. Each act of the show portrays different cultural traditions, featuring a mix of traditional performances and futuristic elements, such as robotic arms that interact with the dancers and light projections that transform the space into an immersive visual environment.
“In Macau 2049, we seek to present China’s cultural richness in a way that resonates with new generations. Our vision is to create an experience that not only celebrates our past, but also embraces the future,” Zhang Yimou, the show’s director, said during the show’s opening press conference.
The director added that his vision for Macau 2049 is a celebration of harmony between civilisations.
“If we look at the progression of civilisation through a linear lens, one end represents 5,000 years of ancient civilisation, while the other symbolises a future driven by rapid technological advancement. Macau 2049 brings together the two extremes of time and space, converging the horizons of East and West. We seek harmony without uniformity, celebrating the diversity of civilisations around the world,” Zhang explains.
During the opening ceremony, Pansy Ho, President and CEO of MGM China Holdings Limited, emphasised the importance of the show in affirming Macau as “a city of the performing arts”.
“We are committed to transforming Macau into a worldclass cultural destination. The show not only enriches our cultural portfolio, but also strengthens Macau’s identity as a centre of creativity and innovation,” said Ms. Ho.
She also emphasised Macau’s uniqueness as a “melting pot of cultures”, pointing out that Macau 2049 opens up new avenues for the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage in a modern society: “This show allows audiences to appreciate the charm of traditional culture and the infinite possibilities of advanced technology. It also acts as a catalyst for the growth and development of the performing arts industry in Macau.”
The eights acts of Macau 2049 introduce the audience to traditional Hua’er folk music, Mongolian Khoomei vocal art, Yi and Miao cultural songs, Peking opera, Yangge folk dance, lion dance and cultural narratives from Shaanxi province, all integrated with high tech elements like robotic arms, kinetic mirrors and laser lights, biomimetic flying sea creatures, robot dancers and a mesmerizing moving kinetic sculpture.
In addition to the show, MGM inaugurated a mechanical kinetic art installation called The Dancing Lion: The Rise of Good Fortune. This work, which stems from the chapter Dance of the Lion – Radiant in Macau 2049, represents a synthesis between varied cultural elements and technological innovation.
The installation reveals meticulous design work that combines modern aesthetics with ancient influences, demonstrating Macau’s ability to integrate tradition and innovation.
