Macau authorities have promised to transform the territory into a Sino-Lusophone “theme park” between October 28 and November 18 with an investment of nearly 1 million euros, linked to a series of festivals.
The 4th Encounter in Macau – Festival of Arts and Culture between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, which will include traditional music and dance performances, a film festival, and an exhibition of illustrated books, will coincide with the Lusophone Festival, which attracts thousands of people each year, including many from Portuguese-speaking communities.
The total investment is estimated at seven million patacas (891 thousand euros).
Although the events are mainly held on Taipa Island, they are also extended to other communities in the city to offer different cultural experiences and make Macau a theme park.”
This will be dedicated to the cultural encounter between the territory and Portuguese-speaking countries, stressed the Cultural Office president during the program’s presentation.
“This year, as the Lusophone Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary, the focus will be on disseminating Macanese culture,” added Leong Wai Man.
Patuá is a Creole language with Portuguese roots that is in danger of extinction and is preserved mainly by the theater group Dóci Papiaçam di Macau, which each year performs a play spoken mainly in Creole.
The Lusophone Festival, an event featuring cultural exhibitions, music and dance performances, traditional Portuguese games, and typical cuisine from Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor, will be held this year from October 28 to 30.
According to the organization, this event will focus on Macanese culture, with gastronomy and handicrafts.
The exhibition of illustrated books in Chinese and Portuguese will be held from Oct. 28 to Nov. 02.
The Community Traditional Music and Dance Shows will be held Nov. 5-6. Finally, the Film Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking countries will take place from Oct. 29 to Nov. 18.
The latter event is themed “All Rivers Flow to the Sea” and aims to highlight “the spirit of pioneering, exchange, integration and mutual understanding between China (including Macau) and Portuguese-speaking countries and regions.”