Every year in October we breathe a sigh of relief that the hot days of summer are behind us, and once again we can enjoy being outside to relax in the cool Macau Autumn evening air. And there is no more festive place to be than in front of the Taipa Houses-Museum together with all the Portuguese-speaking communities of Macau at the hugely popular annual Lusofonia Festival.
Authentic food, drinks, and handicrafts from Portuguese-speaking countries around the world are all on offer, as well as wonderful music and dance performances and great games and activities for the kids.
The first Lusofonia Festival was held on June 10, 1998 on Portuguese National Day to honour Portuguese-speaking individuals residing in Macau who had contributed to Macau’s development.
This year is the 18th edition of the festival, which has now become a must-visit event, not just for members of the local Portuguese-speaking communities, but local Chinese residents, expats and tourists alike.
The festival is organized by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macau Government Tourist Office.
As usual, booths from 10 countries and regions will be present so show off their local culture and traditions, including Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Goa, Damão e Diu, East Timor, São Tomé and Principe and of course Portugal and Macau.
This year’s international line up of entertainment features a wide range of wonderful talent at the Taipa Houses-Museum Ampitheatre.
On Friday evening October 23 starting at 7pm, guests can enjoy performances by Bitori Nha Bibinha from Cape Verde, Master Jake from Angola and Mariene de Castro from Brazil.
The evening of October 24 in the Ampitheatre will feature shows by Virgem Suta from Portugal, Timor Leste's D’Voices Talik Murak and Massukos from Mozambique.
And closing the festival on Sunday evening will be more music and dance by Binhan Quimor & Star Candinha from Guinea-Bissau, Mezô Dance from São Tomé e Príncipe and Versatyle from Goa, Damão e Díu.
Throughout the three-day event there will also be a number of performances by local cultural groups including Grupo Folclórico Infantil da Escola Portuguesa de Macau, Macau Artfusion, Performing Arts Group of Casa de Portugal, Grupo Axé Capoeira do Mestre Eddy Murphy and Macau Elvis, just to name a few.
Lusofonia is the perfect place for families to enjoy a day out too with great activities for children: table football, pony rides, traditional Portuguese games and even a Macau Grand Prix simulator.
The Lusofonia Festival perfectly demonstrates the vibrancy of Macau as an international tourism city in the heart of Asia which has retained the rich culture of its Portuguese-speaking communities, so be sure to check it out.
The 18th Lusofonia Festival
October 23 to 25
at the Taipa Houses-Museum
Free Admission
+853 8988 4000 | www.iacm.gov.mo
