As the prevention and control work of the novel coronavirus is still in an important phase, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym), cancelled all external activities scheduled for March.Considering that the cultural venues under the auspices of the IC are indoor spaces, in order to reduce the risk of spread of epidemic in the community and avoid contact and concentration of people, all cultural venues will remain closed until further notice.
The IC will arrange refunds for those who have purchased tickets for the shows from today to 31 May. Spectators with tickets for the following shows may contact the Macau Ticketing Network outlets for refund procedures when the epidemic is relieved: the concerts “Resounding Strings and Woodwinds” by the Macao Chinese Orchestra on 14 March and “Symphony of Destiny” by the Macao Orchestra on 21 March. Other shows with free admission will be cancelled, including the concerts “The Power of Change” and “Maestros’ Sound” by the Macao Orchestra on 13 and 27 March, respectively; while the concert “Music in Museum” by the Macao Orchestra on 1 March and the concerts “Music in World Heritage”, “Concerts in Museum”,“The Joy of Macao” and “Strolling in the Garden, Listening to Music”by the Macao Chinese Orchestra on 7, 8, 18 and 21 March, respectively, will be postponed.
Performance venues such as the Macao Cultural Centre, the Dom Pedro V Theatre and the Old Court Building, public libraries, cultural exhibition sites, cultural heritage sites, Cinematheque • Passion and Macao Fashion Gallerywill remain closed until further notice. All guided tours and activities scheduled to be held at these locations during this period will be cancelled. The 2019-2020 Macao Cultural Heritage training programme “Little Little Docent” will also be postponed.
Let’s work together to fight against epidemic. During this period, the IC will continue to provide diversified services for learning and cultural entertainment of the public and families through electronic reading platforms and online exhibitions and shows.
During the closing period of the public libraries, the self-service book return system at the libraries is maintained and the loan period for borrowed books will be extended accordingly until the libraries are reopened.Readers do not need to return books instantly. During this period, residents can browse a number of electronic resources onthe “Online Reading Platform”on the Macao Public Library’s website at www.library.gov.mo. In addition to the databases of multiple journals and papers, the platform provides about 14,000 free electronic books covering various fields. The platform also covers the “Story Garden – Kiss Nature Kids’ Story Garden”, combing stories from illustrated books, encyclopedia of nature as well as children’s songs, suitable for reading by families.
In consideration of the protection of the public’s health on the premise, the IC will continue to pay attention to the overall development of the epidemic and gradually cooperate accordingly. At the same time, the IC urges all sectors to cooperate with the preventive measures of the SAR Government. For the sake of your health as well as for others, please reduce going out and avoid staying in crowded places. Wear masks properly and wash hands frequently, in order to eliminate the epidemic as soon as possible. For the updates, please visit IC’s website at www.icm.gov.mo, its official WeChat account “ICMacao” or “IC Art” page on Facebook.