Worship ceremony of “2019 Macao International Parade”
In order to pray for the success of the “2019 Macao International Parade” in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Macao’s Handover to China, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) held a worship ceremony at the Ruins of St. Paul’s today (4 December). The worship ceremony was attended by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Mok Ian Ian; the Deputy Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Cheng Wai Tong; the Vice Presidents of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leong Wai Man and Chan Kai Chon; the Head of the Department of Operational Planning of the Public Security Police Force, Chio Song Un; the Head of the Department of Operations of the Islands of the Fire Services Bureau, Kong Iat Fu; the President of the Macao General Union of Neighbourhood Associations, Leong Heng Kao; the Assistant to Chief Executive Officer of Air Macau Company Limited, Wen Dexin; the Manager of Production Department of TDM, Ltd., Leong Chon Wa and representatives of the local art groups. The ceremony included a lion dance performance with representatives of the art groups dressed up in full costume, creating a cheerful and lively atmosphere and attracting many spectators.
In addition to distributing promotional materials to residents and tourists on site, IC staff also delivered leaflets to residents and merchants along the Parade route, providing more information about the Parade, the relevant route and traffic arrangements, and further spreading the jubilant atmosphere to every corner of the city.
Themed around the initiative “One Belt, One Road”, this year’s Parade features an estimated number of 1,800 artists from 80 art groups, who will depart from the Ruins of St. Paul’s this Sunday (8 December). The participating groups will showcase the cultural and artistic characteristics of the countries and regions along the initiative “One Belt, One Road”, as well as the distinctive features of the respective art groups. The Parade will pass through Largo de S. Domingos, Senado Square, Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, finally arriving at the Sai Van Lake Square for the Handover Celebration, a feast of ‘Love, Peace, and Cultural Integration”.
In addition, a variety of outreach activities, workshops and campus activities were launched in the community from late November onwards, in order to enhance the festive atmosphere. To further engage the public in the festivity, this year’s Parade will continue to hold a series of outreach activities, including voting for the “Most Popular Award”, which allows the public to choose their favourite participating groups, a photography contest themed around the Parade and an online prize game. All are welcome to join and enjoy the charm of the city.
In order to ensure a smooth operation of the event, crowd control measures and temporary street closure will be implemented along the route on the day of the Parade. The public is advised to walk to the Parade venues on foot or use public transportation. The Parade will be broadcast live on television via the TDM Entertainment Channel from 3pm to 7pm on the day of the Parade, and on outdoor screens at Iao Hon Garden, Rotunda de Carlos da Maia, Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro, and next to Flower City Garden on Rua de Coimbra in Taipa. For more information about the Parade, please visit the Parade’s website at www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade, or follow “Macao International Parade” page on Facebook and IC’s WeChat official account “ICMacao”.
