In order to mark this year’s International Museum Day, the “2016 Macao International Museum Day Carnival”, co-organized by eighteen Macao museums, was inaugurated on Sunday, 8 May, at 3pm at the Albergue SCM. The Carnival’s opening ceremony was officiated by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; the Deputy Director of the Guangdong Museum, Liu Li Tuan; the Assistant Director of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong S.A.R. Government, Chan Shing Wai; the Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; the Director of Macao Post, Lau Wai Meng; the Deputy Commissioner of the Fire Services Bureau, Chao Ka Cheong; the Director of the Maritime Museum, Chan I Un; the Curator of the Macao Science Center, Sio Hon Pan; the Head of the Division of Nature Conservation and Studies of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Fanny Chen; the Vice-President of the Tung Sin Tong Charitable Society, José Chui Sai Peng; the President of the Association of Piety and Charity of the Lin Fong Temple, Kong Su Kan and the Secretary of Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial House in Macau, Lin Chia-Che, among others. Representatives of cultural entities from Guangdong Province and the Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau and its respective museums were also invited. The Carnival is oriented to three main concepts, namely “penetrating to communities, open areas and local issues”, featuring the theme “Mobile Museum – The Blending of Chinese and Western Cultures in Macao”, gathering a rich variety of activities, including thematic exhibitions, seminars, workshops and guided tours. The museums are not only responsible for varied collections, but also take part in the protection of the surrounding environment. Issues on how to strengthen the connection between human beings and the environment and sustainable development are important to Macao citizens and to all museums. The President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng, said in his speech that the Carnival continuously implements the concept of “The Mobile Museum”, which decorates the streets and surrounding buildings as an exhibition venue, hoping that the public can understand the blending of Chinese and Western cultures in Macao through different perspectives and through a series of activities such as performances, seminars, workshops and guided tours. On the inauguration day, a series of activities was available at St. Lazarus Parish, including workshops, guided tours, seminars, T-shirts with thematic prints and thematic exhibitions. Some of the exhibitions will be open until 18 May (the thematic exhibition of the “Photography Contest of the International Museum Day of Macao 2016” will be open until 28 May). Various workshops related to arts, models, clay models, tea sets, street name plates and planting will be held on 14, 15, 18, 21, 22, 28 and 29 May. Three seminars for exploring the blending of the Chinese and Western cultures in Macao about art, history and literature will be held on 14, 18 and 21 May. Guided tours on the history of St. Lazarus’ Church, local cemeteries and St. Lazarus’ Parish will be held on 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 May. For more information, please visit the Macao Museum’s webpage (www.museums.gov.mo), or follow the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macao Government Tourism Office’s WeChat accounts, or call through tel no. 8394 1217, during office hours.
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