In order to provide a better understanding to more Macao residents on the application procedure and methods of the intangible cultural heritage in Macao, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) will hold two briefing sessions this weekend (13th and 14th November). During the sessions, scholars specialized in protection of intangible cultural heritage from China will be invited to serve as speakers. Interested parties are welcome to attend.
With 450 hundred years’ history on cross-cultural communication between China and the West in addition to thousands of years’ of Chinese civilization behind, Macao features many distinctive, exceptional and multicultural intangible cultural heritages. These heritages are in need of our protection and efforts to pass down. In recent years, the public and the Government have been discussing at different levels on how to protect and pass down these fine traditions. In order to encourage local people, associations and institutions to submit their applications, and in order to provide them with a better knowledge of the procedure concerned, Macao Museum of IC has especially scheduled two briefing sessions, inviting two expert leaders from the national intangible heritage evaluation team – Mr. Qi Qingfu, a professor of Minzu University of China, and Mr. Wu Wenke, the director of the Quyi (Singing and Narrative Arts) Department at the Academy of Arts of China – to join the events. They will briefly explain to the public the protection policies of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and of China. The briefing will be from a nation-wide angle to explore the cultural value of Macao’s national intangible heritage and to introduce the assessment criteria of the national intangible cultural heritage. There will be communication with the public to answer their questions concerning the application, offering effective information and tips for those who are interested in protecting the intangible cultural heritage in Macao and intended to submit their application.
The session concerning folk culture (festivals or others) will be held on November 13th (Saturday), from 3 pm till 5 pm, and another session concerning Quyi and performing arts on November 14th (Sunday), from 3 pm till 5 pm. Simultaneous interpretation from Mandarin to Cantonese, from Mandarin to Portuguese will be provided. Interested parties may contact Mr. Chan at 8394-1221 during office hours to register. Registration will be on first-come-first-served basis. Further information can be found at Macao Museum’s website www.macaumuseum.gov.mo.
