This year’s Government Headquarters Open Day sessions will be held during the coming weekend (26 and 27 October), from 9am to 6pm.
The theme of this year’s floral arrangements for the Open Day sessions is “Celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland”, thus marking the “dual celebrations”. The displays will feature more than 20 varieties of flower – all in full bloom – creating an eye-catching setting and symbolising prosperity.
The Government Headquarters are on Avenida da Praia Grande. During the Open Day sessions, the public are directed to use the Travessa do Paiva entrance at the right-hand side of the Protocol Palace as visitors face the front of the main building. Once in the grounds, visitors should follow a designated route, which includes stops at the Multi-purpose Room and the Lotus Room on the ground floor. Via the marble staircase to the first floor, visitors can also explore the Grand Hall, the Green Hall, the Yellow Hall, and the Blue Hall.
The Multi-purpose Room will host a “Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Macao’s Return to the Motherland” photo exhibition. In addition, guided tours of the Protocol Palace will be available, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the interior settings of the Grand Hall on the upper floor, and of the building as a whole.
The more than 20 varieties in the flower show, with up to 9,000 pots of colourful seasonal blooms, are not only eye-catching but also symbolise prosperity.
The flower show has four themed zones located respectively at: the Protocol Palace front yard display area; the Protocol Palace indoor display area; the lawn display area; and the flower pergola display area.
The first theme is “Splendid Future・Brave the Wind and the Waves” displayed at the lawn display area. The flower bed features a sailing boat design, to mark the country’s 75th National Day, while a lighthouse scene marks the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, and a bridge scene representing the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge links those two to mark the “dual celebrations”. Taken as a whole, they symbolise the fact that Macao and the motherland have been on the same voyage, braving the wind and the waves, since Macao’s return to the motherland, and that Macao will sail into the future under the leadership of the motherland, and that together they will form new achievements.
The second theme is “Maritime Silk Road・Window of Exchange” at the flower pergola display area. With elements such as window-shaped displays on the walls of that area, the design presents Macao as a window – since olden times – of exchange between China and the rest of the world. Polychromatic lights and images of Macao architecture, represented in silhouette form, are also combined to create photo-taking spots for visitors, showcasing the role of Macao as an important window for prosperity, diversity and cultural exchanges.
The third theme is “Sports and Music・Vibrant Macao” at the Protocol Palace front yard display area. Exquisitely colourful flowers represent the idea of the 15th National Games to be co-hosted by Macao, while musical elements represent Macao’s unique role as a “City of Sports” and “City of Shows”, highlight the vitality and energy of the city.
The fourth theme is “Green Community・Flowers and Butterflies” at the Protocol Palace indoor display area. Images of green trees and dancing butterflies are represented by clusters of flowers, generating a feeling of prosperity, and a call for everyone to build together a liveable community and a green Macao.
In conjunction with the Open Day sessions, there will be a series of performances by the Macao Police Band, as well as other musical instrument performances, including by representatives of the School of Music and of the School of Dance at the Macao Conservatory.
Additionally, the Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau will set up a temporary postal counter near Nam Van Lake, offering a commemorative-postmark service and Open Day sessions-related philatelic products.
For the convenience of visitors, special traffic management arrangements relating to part of Travessa do Paiva will be in force during the Open Day sessions. Drivers are urged to pay attention to the temporary traffic signs and follow police advice.
To mark the Government Headquarters Open Day sessions, souvenirs will be offered to visitors, while supplies last. Visitors are advised to exercise care when navigating steps on their visit to the Government Headquarters. Selfie sticks, umbrellas, drinks, and food are all barred from the premises, as are pets.
Please pay attention to the weather forecast from the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau. In case of adverse weather conditions, please follow the instructions of the on-site staff.
For more information, please visit https://openday.dsasg.gov.mo/. The website features a 360-degree panoramic photographic image of the Government Headquarters, offering visitors a unique perspective of the complex. Members of the public can also download the "Macao Chief Executive's Office" mobile application, to view relevant information about the Government Headquarters Open Day sessions.