Movie screenings were well-received.
The 27th Macao Arts Festival (MAF) Outreach Programme, organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, features several activities targeted at the community, including an art critique online platform aimed at encouraging the public’s immediate comments, the initiative “Secondary Students’ Writings on the Macao Arts Festival” aimed to train budding art critics, as well as the accessibility service which reflects the Festival’s social care. The diverse activities allow audience from different sectors to experience the artistic experiences, and come closer to the arts. For the first time, this edition of MAF offers an online platform - “Simple Critique” - offering the public the opportunity to express thoughts directly as well as to interact with other audience members, and at the same time allowing creators to receive immediate feedback. The initiative “Secondary Students’ Writings on Macao Arts Festival” envolves five schools, namely Pui Ching Middle School, Tong Sin Tong School, the Workers’ Children High School, the School of Dance of the Macao Conservatory and the Kwong Tai Middle School, counting with the participation of over 100 students. This initiative allows students to write critiques after the performances, thereby enhancing their appreciation skills of performing arts shows, analysis, judgement and writing abilities and, consequently, nurturing young art critics. After three years of trainings through workshops and the promotion of the accessibility services, this edition of the MAF offers audio description and accessible captions services in the screening of the movie “Touch of the Light” as well as audio description and theatrical interpretation of the children’s play Circles provided by local students. In addition, movies related to the programme and theme of this year’s MAF were also screened. After screening, movie aficionados shared their opinions with the audience, thereby enriching their MAF experience. The movies were screened in several locations around the city, allowing the public to take part in the Festival in public open spaces and bring their daily lives closer to the arts. The various screening sessions gathered over 200 viewers. Additionally, the talk “From Ditties to Arias: Music on a Shakespearean Stage” will be held on 29 May, at the Auditorium of the Macao Museum of Art. Members of the public who have made registration are advised to arrive at the venue on time. For more information on the 27th Macao Arts Festival programme, tickets and discounts, please refer to the Festival Guidebook, which can be downloaded at www.icm.gov.mo/fam, or follow the MAF’s page on Facebook or subscribe to IC’s WeChat account. Ticketing hotline: 2855 5555; online ticket reservation: www.macauticket.com.
