Dance drama Opera Warriors
In order to welcome the Chinese New Year and celebrate this occasion with the public, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) organizes the “Let’s Celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Dog” which include a series of workshops, performances, activities and exhibitions, among others.
The “Happy Chinese New Year” - Chinese New Year Ethnic Performances 2018 will be held during the period of the Lunar New Year (from 15to 19 February) at Tap Siac Square, Anim’Arte NAM VAN, Iao Hon Market Square and Pak Tai Temple in Taipa, respectively. The “Wulanmuqi Art Troupe” from the Horqin Right Middle Banner under the administrative division of Hinggan League in Inner Mongolia presents ethnic dances and songs to the audience, adding to this festive atmosphere.
From 16to 19 February, stalls will be set up in Anim’Arte NAM VAN for the display and sale of handicrafts by local artists and artists from Inner Mongolia and Yunnan Province, featuring traditional handicrafts, cultural and creative products and specialities, among others. Other activities such as traditional interactive games, Inner Mongolian calligraphy and painting workshop and a costume exhibition, will also be held concurrently at the same venue.
Jointly organized by the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office of the Ministry of Culture of the PRC and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of PRC and the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the MSAR Government, as well as the cooperation of the Shanxi Provincial Department of Culture, the dance drama Opera Warriors will be staged at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium on 3 March, at 8pm. Tickets will be on sale from 1 February at the Macau Ticketing Network.
From 16 to 18 February, the Mandarin’s House hosts a lion dance performance at 3pm, while Lou Kau Mansion and General Ye Ting’s Former Residence host a “Chinese New Year Concert”. From 14 February to 11 March, the Chun Chou Tong Pavilion in Lou Lim Ieoc Garden hosts the “Exquisite Apparel, Distinctive Customs - Ethnic Costumes Showcase of Yunnan Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region”, allowing residents and tourists to appreciate the traditional festive clothing and daily attire and accessories of the various tribes and ethnic groups in Yunnan Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. From 14 to 19 February, a craftsmanship successor hosts a demonstration session of the creation of ethnic handicrafts including Yunnan Dai brocade and paper-charms as well as Inner Mongolian Sonid costumes and Urad copperware and silverware at the pavilion.
IC will hold the “Couplets Workshop” in several cultural facilities during the the Lunar New Year. On 4 February, three sessions aimed at MAM’s Friends and their families, all families and adults, to be held at the Macao Museum of Art (MAM), where participants will be instructed by calligraphers and painters Lei Tak Seng, Tam Chek Wun and Mak Lei to create their own couplets. On 10, 11 and 15 February, calligraphers will offer New Year blessings in Chinese calligraphy for visitors at Mandarin’s House. Different seals with Spring Festival features will be provided at the Patane Night Watch House from 3 to 28 February and at the Jao Tsung-I Academy from 13 to 21 February for visitors to create their own couplets. Residents can also paint their own red pockets at Lou Kau Mansion from 16 to 18 February.
In addition, the Chong Sai Pharmacy hosts the “Pinwheel Production Workshop” on 10, 11 and 16 to 18 February and the Macao Tea Culture House hosts the “Plasticine Modelling Workshop” on 10 and 11 February to teach participants to make handicrafts with Spring Festival features. On the eve of the Lunar New Year, on 11 February, the Chinese Orchestra and students from the School of Music of the Macao Conservatory hold the “Spring Concert 2018” at the Macao Conservatory Auditorium, offering a variety of Chinese and Western musical works for the audience to celebrate the new year. Reservation in advance is required to take part in some of the above activities. For more information, please visit IC’s webpage.
The “Chinese New Year Story World for Families” will also be held at Wong Ieng Kuan Children’s Library in Areia Preta Urban Park, at the Wong Ieng Kuan Library in Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Municipal Park, Wong Ieng Kuan Library in Luís de Camões Garden, the Taipa Library and S. Lourenço Library on 10 February, and at the Wong Ieng Kuan Children’s Library in Areia Preta Urban Park, the Ilha Verde Library, the Patane Library and the S. Lourenço Library on 11 February from 3 to 5pm, allowing children to have a deeper understanding about the significance of traditional festivals. Interested parties are welcome to make registration on-site.
Meanwhile, the “Reading Promotes Growth” reading session dedicated to the Chinese theme “Who is the First among Twelve Chinese Zodiac Signs” will be held at the Wong Ieng Kuan Children’s Library in Areia Preta Urban Park on 11 February, and another session dedicated to the English theme “Dragon Dance” will be held at the Wong Ieng Kuan Children’s Library in Areia Preta Urban Park and the Macao Central Library on 11 and 25 February, respectively. Successful applicants are advised to arrive punctually.
IC’s cultural facilities will remain open during the Lunar New Year. For the opening hours and closing days of the cultural facilities, please visit the IC’s webpage. Advance registration is required for some of the activities above. For more information, please contact IC through tel. no. 8399 6699 during office hours, or stay tuned to activities updates in IC’s webpage at www.icm.gov.mo, its official WeChat account “ICmacao” or “IC Art” page on Facebook.
