“Parade through Macao, Latin City” in Celebration of the 16th anniversary of Macao’s Handover to China
The “Parade through Macau, Latin City”, organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau in celebration of the 16th anniversary of Macao’s handover to China, takes place on 6 December this year. The Parade route is divided into three secret areas, where decorations and creative characters were designed by young local illustrators Eric Fok Hoi Seng, Un Chi Wai and Lam Ieong Kun. This year, the Parade is themed as a treasure hunt and its route is divided into three secret areas which include decorations and creative characters designed by three young local illustrators Fok Hoi Seng, Un Chi Wai and Lam Ieong Kun, presenting a new surge of creativity. “Party Gathering” was created by Eric Fok Hoi Seng and is inspired by the belief that an earthly Paradise was hidden on the other side of the ocean. The artist uses fine tip pens to draw ancient European maps, with additional contemporary elements displayed at the Ruins of St. Paul's. Un Chi Wai was inspired by love to create “Mysterious Energy” which, starting from Rua de S. Paulo, will carry love through St. Anthony’s Church and Rua de Sanches de Miranda, spreading it to every corner. On the other hand, Lam Ieong Kun created a series of “crazy” bacteria with different colours, shapes and posture. On the way from Calçada da Igreja de S. Lázaro to Tap Seac Square, VIVA starts a fantastic adventure with those bacteria. The treasure hunt comprises more than 50 local and foreign performing groups in a total of around 1500 participants. Local performing groups actively responded to the call for participating in the Parade, with their performances featuring Cantonese opera, mime, theatre, magic, music, martial arts, folk and oriental dances. French group Plasticiens Volants return to Macao with huge balloons that add colour to the events visual impact; Caretos de Podence from Portugal uses traditional clothing, masks and rattles to create ghostly characters that amuse the audience in an outstanding performance; French troupe Herbert’s Dream presents uncommon marvellous show on stilts whereby five enormous and four-metre high stilt artists participate in a mysterious ceremony held under hypnotising music, mutating into human light bulbs and creating a magical atmosphere; the Luyi Folk Arts Group, hailing from Henan Province, showcase Luyi’s, Laozi’s hometown, Taoist and traditional culture, valuing the lifestyle and culture of co Reyog Moncar Manggala Surakarta from Indonesia brings the traditional dance solo dance and a monumental and unique wardrobe; and the Hong Kong Vigor Marching Band accompanies marching steps with intense and rhythmical music. The Parade includes other extraordinary performances, such as traditional Aztec dances brought by Mexican troupe Danza Azteca, the colourful and rich creole culture by the Caribbean Carnival Group, from Guadeloupe, the sacred dragon from Hong Kong’s Art Home puppet workshop and performances by the students of street mime workshop “Black and White Journey”, led by Sunteck Yao – founder and artistic director of Taiwanese L’Enfant S. Physical Theatre – sharing with the public a joyful afternoon. For more information about the Parade, please access the respective webpages at www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade and www.facebook.com/macaoparade.
