Group photo of officiating guests and representatives of exhibitors
The 15th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) was inaugurated on 16 May at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) and the Cultural Industries Fund jointly set up the Macao Creative Pavilion at the fair, aiming to promote Macao’s distinctive shops and sharing stories of local culinary brands.
The opening ceremony of the Macao Creative Pavilion was held on Thursday, 16 May, at 3pm, and was officiated by the Acting President of the Administrative Committee of the Cultural Industries Fund of the Macao SAR Government, Chu Miu Lai; the Vice President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Chan Kai Chon; the Vice President of the Shenzhen Culture, Broadcast and Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau, Chen Shaohua; the Researcher of the Broadcast, Film and Television Division of the Shenzhen Culture, Broadcast and Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau, Liang Changxiong; person-in-charge of the Tai Long Fong Casa de Cha, Chan Mo Lin and the representative of the One Country Entertainment and Production Co., Ltd., Lei Chon.
The Vice President of IC, Chan Kai Chon, said in his speech that Macao has been designated as a “Creative City of Gastronomy” by UNESCO and that it boasts a variety of distinctive shops and culinary cultures throughout its streets and alleys. He hoped that by showcasing the city’s cultural brands and creative services, the Macao Creative Pavilion could further promote Macao’s image as a “Creative City of Gastronomy” and introduce its communal characteristics and cultural tourism to the world. This will bring opportunities for the development of Macao’s cultural and creative industries and further their integrated development with Shenzhen’s counterparts.
Under the theme “Macao creativity: gastronomy and community creativity” this year, the Macao Creative Pavilion attracted the participation of seven companies which have revamped their branding under the support of the Special Subsidy Programme for Cultural and Creative Community initiated by the Cultural Industries Fund. The companies include Tai Long Fong Casa de Cha, U Bo Wo Chinese Herbal Tea, Veng Heng Cheong Joss-stick Shop, Restaurant Fok Lam Seng, Dumpling Town, Golden Mix Dessert and San Song Song Pork Ball.
IC has been organising the participation of Macao’s cultural and creative sector in the ICIF every year since 2006, making a concerted effort to boost the city’s cultural image and original brands and deepen the collaboration and exchange between the two cities. This year the ICIF, running for five consecutive days from 16 to 20 May, focuses on celebrating the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China through several themes, such as new achievements in the cultural development of China and the synergy innovation development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. For more information, please visit the ICIF official website at www.cnicif.com.
