Exhibition “The Golden Parade” opened today (15 December) at the Macao Museum of Art

Opening Ceremony of the exhibition “The Golden Parade – Imperial Weaponry from the Palace Museum”

Jointly organised by the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Palace Museum, the Macao Foundation, the Macao Government Tourism Office and the Macao Daily News, the exhibition “The Golden Parade – Imperial Weaponry from the Palace Museum” was inaugurated today, 15 December, on the 4^th floor of MAM. The exhibition features weaponry, equipment and devices produced by the imperial workshops, tributes from different regions of China and gifts offered by different countries to the Qing court, revealing the grand reviews of troops by the Qing emperors, imperial hunting, military drills and the military system itself, among others. The exhibition, which runs until 11 March 2018, allows visitors to comprehend political and military aspects and the life of the Imperial Palace court during the Qing dynasty, as well as the importance that the Qing attached to military power.

The exhibition was inaugurated in a lively atmosphere. The opening ceremony counted with the presence of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam Chon Weng; the Deputy Director of the Palace Museum, Li Xiaocheng; the Director of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao S.A.R., Wan Sucheng; the Acting President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ieong Chi Kin; the Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; the Acting President of the Administrative Committee of the Macao Foundation, Zhong Yi Seabra de Mascarenhas; and the Director of Macao Daily News, Lok Po.

In his speech, the Director of MAM, Chan Kai Chon, stated that the Museum will continue to promote the remarkable Chinese culture and art and strengthen the residents’ sense of cultural belonging. In addition, he also expressed his desire to deepen and broaden cooperation with the Palace Museum, with both parties working together to promote knowledge and raise awareness of the population to Chinese culture.

“Golden Parade” is the 19^th large-scale exhibition organized by MAM in cooperation with the Palace Museum. It mainly features imperial weaponry and related paintings and drawings that restore historical military scenes, showcasing more that 100 valuable pieces from the Qing imperial court. The exhibition is divided into three sections, namely “Dignified Bearing”, “Military Prowess” and “Military System”. In the section “Dignified Bearing”, the most significant piece is “Emperor Qianlong’s Review of Grand Parade of Troops” Scroll 2: Battle Array, a scroll over 17 meters long which portrays a spectacular review of the Eight Banners troops by Emperor Qianlong. The section “Military Prowess” presents several paintings that portray Qianlong’s hunting in woods and forests as well as hunting equipment, revealing the importance attached by the Qing court to horse riding and archery. The section “Military System” showcases historical pieces from the Eight Banners, such as seal of the commander and tally, showing the system of military power that existed among the Eight Banners of the Qing dynasty.

In order to allow the public to experience the exhibition from various perspectives, MAM organizes a series of activities. Talks by experts from the Palace Museum will be held from 16 December; guided tours will be available on Saturdays and Sundays in the afternoon from 23 December; the mini concerts “Music in the Macao Museum of Art”, by the Macao Chinese Orchestra, will be held in the exhibition hall; and several games with prizes will also be organized. For more information, please visit the website www.mam.gov.mo or call MAM through the tel. no. 8791 9814 during office hours.

The Macao Museum of Art, located at Avenida Xian Xing Hai, NAPE, is open daily from 10am to 7pm (no admission after 6:30pm) from Tuesday to Sunday, including on public holidays, and closes on Mondays. Admission is free.

Series of Activities

Exhibition “The Golden Parade” (free admission)

*For updated information on the activities please refer to MAM’s webpage or call MAM through telephone number 8791 9814