Organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), the “2019 Macao International Parade”, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Macao’s Handover to China, will be held on Sunday, 8 December. Extraordinary performing groups from all over the world and local artists will amplify their creativity and present the theme of this year’s Parade on the cultural and artistic characteristics of countries and regions along the initiative “One Belt, One Road”, bringing a festive atmosphere of the Parade as “an annual celebration for the entire city – VIVA!”.
The Press Conference of the “2019 Macao International Parade” was held on 14 November and was attended by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Mok Ian Ian; the Acting Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Hoi Io Meng; the Deputy Commissioner of the Fire Services Bureau, Chao Ka Cheong; the Vice Presidents of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leong Wai Man and Chan Kai Chon; the Head of Department of Cultural and Recreational Affairs and Civic Education of the Municipal Affairs Bureau, Patsy Ko Pui San; the Chief of Sports Facility Management Department of the Sports Bureau, Ho Wa; the Head of the Department of Youth of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Cheong Man Fai; the Head of Department of Performing Arts Development of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Celia Iu; the Head of the Division of Operations and Communications of the Public Security Police Force, Un Kim Fong; the Head of Division of Recreational Activities of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Cheang Kai Meng; the Vice-President of Macao General Union of Neighbourhood Associations, Lei Wai Peng; the Vice President of Air Macau Company Limited, Liang Shuang; the Director of the Programmes and Production Division of TDM, Ltd., Lok Kong; the Chief Government Affairs Officer, Melco Resorts and Entertainment, Maggie Ma; the Assistant Vice President of Corporate and Community Relations, Public Relations, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Catherine Iu; the Executive Director of Community and Government Relations of Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace, Raymond Lei; the Assistant Director of Community Relations of MGM, Mina Siew; the Director of Business Development of the Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre, Synthia Chan; the Director of Sales of AJ Hackett Macau Tower, Elsa Law and representatives of local art groups.
Themed around the cultures of countries and regions along the initiative “One Belt, One Road”, the “2019 Macao International Parade” features an estimated number of 1,800 artists of 61 local groups and 19 groups from areas across five continents, including Portugal, Kenya, Angola, Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, Hungary, Chili, Cyprus, New Zealand, Italy, Russia, Myanmar, Thailand, Zhanjiang of Guangdong province as well as Hong Kong, bringing a grand feast of cultural exchange to spectators, and giving full play the rich cultural and artistic characteristics of these countries and regions. The participating groups will depart from the Ruins of St. Paul’s, leading residents and tourists to pass through the old streets and alleys in the Historic Centre of Macao, passing through the bustling Senado Square where they interact with spectators along the way, spreading joy throughout the city. They will then continue along the way until they finally arrive at the VIVA Carnival on Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, and compete for a range of different prizes. During the Carnival, there will be giant inflatable puppets, game booths and a seating area; a number of secret art groups will show up to share their jubilation with spectators and finally gather at the Sai Van Lake Square for the Handover Celebration, a feast of “Love, Peace and Cultural Integration”.
On the day of the Parade, performing groups Traditions Association and Portugal Artfusion from Portugal will tell the story of Portuguese tea farmers through stilts and physical theatre performances; the group Acrobatic Kenya from Kenya will present a series of challenging acrobatic moves; the group Jumping Robots from Russia will bounce and roll across the bustling areas of the city; the Ladies’ Moon from Italy will transform into fairies and dance with the spectators. In addition, performers from Zhanjiang of Guangdong Province will present Zhanjiang Human Dragon Dance, one of the first art performance in Guangdong to be inscribed in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The spectacular dance routine is performed by a group of adults and children forming a giant dragon. More exceptional performances will also be brought by other performing groups.
This year’s Parade will continue to spread its festive atmosphere to the local community. From late November onwards, the Parade will bring various excellent performances to the community and hold workshops to allow participants to have a first contact with the charm of the impressive performing groups. Furthermore, “Lectures on Cultural Topics” will be held in campus, inviting foreign art groups to teach and share their experience with students about arts and related knowledge of different regions. A series of outreach activities will be extended to various districts, and a series of promotional activities such as a photography contest and interactive games will also be launched, in the hope of inviting more people to participate in the annual event and enjoy the joyous atmosphere.
The “2019 Macao International Parade” is organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, co-organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office, the Sports Bureau, the Municipal Affairs Bureau, the Public Security Police Force, the Transport Bureau, the Fire Services Bureau and the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, and supported by the Macao General Union of Neighbourhood Associations and Air Macau Co., Ltd.. TDM - Teledifusão de Macau S.A. is the designated live television broadcaster. The Cultural Affairs Bureau also receives the support from Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Resorts and Entertainment Limited, MGM, Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A., Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre, AJ Hackett Macau Tower and Grand Lisboa Hotel.
The Parade has entered its ninth edition and has become one of the city’s trademark events, drawing the participation of residents and tourists from all over the world. In order to allow more spectators to enjoy the lively atmosphere, TDM - Teledifusão de Macau, S.A. will broadcast the entire event live and outdoor screens will be installed in several locations, including Iao Hon Garden, Rotunda Carlos da Maia, Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro and the area next to Flower City Garden on Rua de Coimbra, Taipa. On the day of the Parade, crowd control measures will be implemented and some streets will be temporarily closed to traffic. The public is thus advised to go to the Parade venues on foot or by public transport. For more information about the Parade, please visit www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade, or follow the “Macao International Parade” page on Facebook and IC’s official WeChat account “ICMacao”.