News

The “Anschlag Berlin──Poster Design from Berlin” exhibition, organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will open at the Tap Seac Gallery, featuring a total of 70 posters by 35 designers from several Berlin-based design studios. The opening ceremony of the exhibition will be held on 14 March (Tuesday) at 6:30pm, at the Tap Seac Gallery. To complement the exhibition, the Cultural Affairs Bureau will organize a seminar entitled “From Berlin to Macau: Designer’s stage ”, to which all are welcome.Berlin, with its rich historical background and cultural uniqueness, provides an open environment for designers, enhancing their creativity and allowing the coexistence of multiple ideas regarding design. The posters featured in this exhibition are works inspired by the Zeitgeist Movement and contemporary Berlin, created by exceptional contemporary designers from renowned Berlin-based design studios, including Cyan, LSD, HeSign, EPS51, Ruddigkeit, Ariane Spanier, Fons Hickmann m23, Surface, among others. The exhibition includes posters relating to art exhibitions, festivals, concerts, performances and social issues. By sharing works that blend art and design, the Cultural Affairs Bureau hopes to provide a source of inspiration and an exchange opportunity for Macao design professionals.In order to allow for a more in-depth understanding of this exhibition and Berlin’s graphic design world, the Cultural Affairs Bureau will also organize a seminar entitled “From Berlin to Macau: Designer’s stage”, which will be held on 15 March (Wednesday) from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, at the Tap Seac Gallery. The three curators of the exhibition - Professor Fons Hickmann, Dr. Jianping He and Sven Lindhorst-Emme - and designer Laucke Siebein will present the works on display and share their creative experiences as guest speakers. The seminar will be conducted in English, with simultaneous translation into Cantonese. Admission to the seminar is free and all are welcome to enrol through the Bureau’s Activities Registration System (www.icm.gov.mo/eform/event) before 13 March. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first served basis.The “Anschlag Berlin──Poster Design from Berlin” exhibition will be held from 15 March to 14 May, at Tap Seac Gallery. Admission is free. The Gallery is located at No. 95, Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, and is open daily from 10am to 9pm. For more information about the exhibition and the seminar, please contact IC through tel. no. 8988 4017 during office hours.
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Organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and co-organised by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, this year’s “Tap Siac Craft Market” will be held from 21 to 23 April, and from 28 to 30 April 2017 at Tap Siac Square. The Craft Market stall registration is open from 9 March (Thursday) and all cultural and creative entities and individuals are invited to register, in order to showcase and sell their original brands and products. The registration deadline is 5:45pm, 27 March 2017 (Monday).This year’s “Tap Siac Craft Market” features a total of 200 stalls. In addition to local cultural and creative practitioners, IC will also invite participants from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia, amongst others. Concurrently, music performances and handicraft workshops will be held for the public to enjoy diversified activities.The “Tap Siac Craft Market” aims to promote original products, gathering cultural and creative practitioners who showcase their products and share their experience and creative ideas. Inaugurated in 2008, the “Tap Siac Craft Market” is Macao’s first large-scale integrated platform for display and sale of cultural and creative products. Every year the event attracts participants from Macao, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Korea and has been highly appreciated by both residents and tourists since its inception.Applicants must be Macao residents; registration is free and can be made on behalf of a group or individually. IC will select stall operators considering the originality and peculiarity of their products. Application forms are now available at the Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (Cultural Affairs Bureau Building) or can be downloaded at IC’s website (www.icm.gov.mo) and at the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com).Applicants must submit all required documents together with the completed application form to the Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries in person or by email to knwong@icm.gov.mo or kkho@icm.gov.mo during the specific period of time stated in the Application Form. For details, please visit the Tap Siac Craft Market page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MacaoCraftMarket). For enquiries, please contact Ms. Wong, staff member of the Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries of IC, through tel. no. (853) 8399 6288 or 8399 6255 during office hours.
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The Institute for Tourism Studies(IFT)’s Bachelor Degree Programme emphasises on the balance between theory and practice. Students are required to complete certain hours of practical tasks related to their specialisations every year. One of the tasks given to the Tourism Business Management students is to provide free guided tour to tourists and local residents.The activity, with the theme of “Tour around Macao with IFT Students”, is organised by year two students of Tourism Business Management Degree Programme. With the assistance from the instructors, four different itineraries have been designed and each lasts about one hour and thirty minutes. This free guided tour service will be provided to all tourists and local residents on Saturday and Sunday, in March. By coordinating the activity, their communication skills can also be enhanced and could also promote Macao to the tourists by offering the free guiding service at the city centre and tourist attractions. Residents will also be made aware of the importance of tourism to Macao.Established in 1995, the Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) offers the most extensive selection of tourism and hospitality related bachelor degree programmes in Macao, and about twenty thousand participants attend its vocational and professional training courses annually. IFT collaborates with 101 universities and tourism organisations around the world, and builds strong links with 500 leading tourism and hospitality corporations to offer internship opportunities to its students. Being the first institution accredited by the UNWTO.TedQual Certification System for tourism education, IFT has the most bachelor degree programmes certified under the System of any tertiary education establishment worldwide. IFT has received the Medal of Merit in Tourism from the Macao SAR Government, and won twice the Gold Award in ‘Education and Training’ from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
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“The 57^th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale Di Venezia 2017”, a major international contemporary art event, will open on Saturday, 13 May, in Venice, Italy. The Macao Museum of Art (MAM), under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, continues to promote the participation of Macao artists in this event, in order to showcase local works on this prestigious international stage.In this edition, the Macao Pavilion, themed “A Bonsai of My Dreams - Works by Wong Cheng Pou”, will feature new works by local artist Wong Cheng Pou. The Macao Museum of Art organized a presentation session of the selected works on Tuesday, 7 March, at 4pm, on the ground floor of MAM, presented by the director of MAM, Chan Hou Seng, the artist, Wong Cheng Pou and the curator, Ng Fong Chao, who introduced the preparation of the Macao Pavilion. Some of the artist’s works were also showcased in the presentation session.This edition of the Macao Pavilion features a total of 17 works, which will be sent to the exhibition venue in Venice in early March, while the set-up work will begin in mid-April. The exhibits consist mainly of three-dimensional works, paintings and photographs. The exhibition title “A Bonsai of My Dreams” indicates the intention of the author to cultivate his personal dreams in bonsai, just as ancient Chinese literati placed planting miniatures in small pots, thus reflecting a desire for a spiritual life full of simplicity and elegance.The exhibits mainly include figures inspired by the deities described in the ancient Chinese classic Shan Hai Jing(The Classic of Mountains and Seas), which is a rich source of information about the religion, history, geography andspecies of Ancient China, reflecting the world view that prevailed in China two millennia ago. “A Bonsai of My Dreams” presents the author’s observations, feelings, and the imagination of the city where he currently lives.This is the sixth time that MAM participates in the Venice Biennale since 2007, in which the works of 15 Macao artists have already been exhibited. The Macao Pavilion will run from 13 May to 12 November, from 10am to 6pm (closed on Mondays). The exhibition venue is located at Arsenale, Campo della Tana. Castello 2126/A, Venice, Italy.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council on 7 March collects prices of fresh pork from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference. The mentioned data collected during 1 March to 7 March are used for comparing the average selling price of the same products from Zhuhai. The relevant data has been uploaded to the Council’s website for consumers’ reference.The specific price surveys on fresh pork and vegetables are now available on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), iPhone & Android ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ app, and the Council’s WeChat Account page. The relevant surveys include the average selling prices of local fresh pork and vegetables, and comparison on the respective the average selling prices rom Zhuhai and Macao.For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Bilateral cooperation on cultural and creative industries is a priority in the relationship between the Republic of Cape Verde and the Macao Special Administration Region (SAR), and a topic for further exploration.The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, made the remark on Monday (6 March) during a meeting at the Government Headquarters with the Minister of Culture and Creative Industries of Cape Verde, Mr Abraão Vicente. Mr Vicente’s official visit to Macao included attendance at events during the 6th edition of “The Script Road – Macau Literary Festival”.With the support of the Central Government, the SAR Government had dedicated increasing effort to the transformation of Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure, and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as a hub for cultural exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, said Mr Tam.The two officials agreed that existing cooperation – in particular on tourism and education – had helped extend further the ties between the two places.Cape Verde has a greater number of young people studying at higher education institutions in Macao than any other Portuguese-speaking country. Cooperation between Macao and the World Tourism Organization had provided favourable conditions under which Macao is able to train a greater number of tourism professionals.During Monday’s meeting, Mr Vicente noted that among those Cape Verde students that had received an education in Macao many had gone on to make a significant contribution to the development of the country’s tourism sector.The Minister added that Cape Verde had rich resources for tourism: the historic centre of Praia, the country’s capital, had been listed by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The ongoing development of Cape Verde had gained China’s support, added Mr Vicente.Officials attending Monday’s meeting included: the Ambassador to China of Cape Verde, Ms Tânia Romualdo; and Cape Verde’s Representative to the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, Mr Mário Vicente.
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The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released survey results of Manpower Needs and Wages of the Gaming Sector for the fourth quarter of 2016. Survey coverage excludes junket promoters and junket associates.At the end of the fourth quarter of 2016, the Gaming Sector had 55,794 full-time employees, down by 0.8% year-on-year, of which the number of dealers dropped by 2.4% to 24,039In December 2016, average earnings (excluding bonuses) of full-time employees in the Gaming Sector stood at MOP21,990, up by 1.7% year-on-year. Average earnings of dealers increased by 0.3%, at MOP18,840.Job vacancies totalled 555 at the end of the fourth quarter of 2016, up by 93 year-on-year. Most of the vacancies were for clerks and service & sales workers.In terms of recruitment prerequisites, 30.3% of the vacancies required work experience; 85.2% required senior secondary education or lower; requirement for knowledge of Mandarin and English accounted for 94.8% and 43.6% respectively.In the fourth quarter of 2016, a total of 662 new employees were hired, a substantial increase of 76.1% from 376 in the same quarter of 2015. Furthermore, the employee recruitment rate (1.2%) and the job vacancy rate (1.0%) went up slightly by 0.5 and 0.2 percentage points year-on-year respectively, while the employee turnover rate (1.4%) fell slightly by 0.4 percentage points. These indicators suggested that the human resource situation of the Gaming Sector was relatively stable in this quarter.As regards vocational training, the Gaming sector had 52,025 participants attending training courses provided by the enterprise (including courses organised by the enterprise or in conjunction with other institutions, and those sponsored by the enterprise), up by 50.7% year-on-year. Most participants attended courses in Business & Administration (35.7%), followed by Gaming & Entertainment Services (28.3%). The majority of courses were organised by the gaming enterprises, and the number of participants accounted for 99.8% of the total.
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The “Macao Special Administrative Region Travel Alert System”, approved and published via Chief Executive Order n.º26/2017, takes effect today, the 7th of March, 2017. It is the responsibility of the Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) to manage the said Alert System.The objective of establishing a Travel Alert System is to allow an easy and timely dissemination of information about crisis situations, emergencies or catastrophes affecting different parts of the world, in order to raise the awareness of the population and to facilitate their decision when travelling abroad.The Travel Alert System covers 77 countries or travel destinations which are the preferred travel destinations of Macao residents, categorized in three different levels and identified by the numbers 1, 2, and 3.Level 1 represents an imminent threat to personal safety. Macao residents planning to travel or already in the destination should be alert and vigilant towards their own safety. It is suggested to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect their personal safety.Level 2 represents that the threat to personal safety is elevated. Macao residents planning to travel to or already in the destination should reconsider travelling at this time. It is suggested to avoid non-essential travel to the destination.Level 3 represents the presence of an extreme threat to personal safety. Macao residents planning to travel or already in the destination should be aware of the severity of the situation and limits that any official assistance can be provided there. It is advised to avoid travelling to the destination and in certain situations, follow the advice issued by the Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) to leave the destination.Based on situations including but not limited to new type of terrorism, adverse weather conditions, security issues, political conflicts or issues related to public health, the GGCT issues Travel Alert – Level 1 to five countries and Level 2 to two countries:Please read attachmentIn order to carefully plan their itineraries, Macao residents can consult the effective Travel Alert System and other relevant information on the GGCT website www.ggct.gov.mo .Tourism Crisis Management Office reminds that the Travel Alert System merely serves as an indicator of the emergency status in order to raise the awareness of each individual on the subject of self-protection, and it does not constitute as any form of guarantee for safety. The Travel Alert System does not have a prohibitive nature and it is up to each individual to decide or adjust their travel plan according to the information provided.With the implementation of the Travel Alert System, the GGCT advises Macao residents before travelling to purchase comprehensive travel insurance, with coverage option for the Macao SAR Travel Alert System, international emergency medical evacuation coverage, and to also verify with their insurers in case of any doubts regarding the terms and conditions of their insurance coverage.If necessary, Macao residents can call:24-hour Tourism Hotline +853 2833 3000;The Chinese Embassy and consulates or the Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hour hotline: +86 10 12308 for assistance.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today had discussions with mainland authorities regarding ways in which Macao could cooperate with the city’s network of overseas Chinese in the development of the country’s “Belt and Road” initiative; and on development of local sports sector.Mr Chui had meetings in Beijing with, respectively, the Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, Ms Qiu Yuanping; and the Minister of the General Administration of Sport of China, Mr Gou Zhongwen.The Chief Executive had been on a four-day visit to Beijing, including attendance at the opening of the 5th Session of the 12th National People's Congress. A Government delegation led by the Chief Executive returned to Macao on Monday evening.During the meeting with Ms Qiu, Mr Chui said the visit to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office was aimed at expressing the Government’s gratitude for the Office’s long-term support, and to gather more opinion regarding Macao’s participation in and contribution to the “Belt and Road” initiative.Macao’s involvement in the country’s implementation of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as the “Belt and Road” initiative) is part of the city’s strategic development programme.The Government had been pleased to learn that the Central Government had approved the Macao SAR’s participation in and contribution to the “Belt and Road” initiative. The Government was particularly focused on how to use Macao’s connections to overseas Chinese as a route to boosting people-to-people exchanges, which is one of the major goals of the initiative.The Government planned to announce this year a plan for Macao’s role regarding the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative. The advice and opinion of Ms Qiu and her office would help the Government better coordinate its efforts with regard to this new task, said Mr Chui.Ms Qiu said her office would form closer ties with the SAR Government in relation to support for Macao in order that the city could participate in and contribute to the development to the “Belt and Road” initiative.In his meeting with Mr Gou of the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chief Executive discussed further cooperation in order to support the development of Macao’s competitive sports and the promotion in the city of the concept “sport for all”.The support of the General Administration of Sport of China – for tasks including training a greater number of local athletes, monitoring levels of physical activity in the community and supporting Macao’s participation in a greater number of international sporting events – was central to sport development in Macao.As a member of the Olympic Council of Asia, Macao had spared no effort in promoting the development of local sport teams. The Government fully understood the constraints that applied regarding participation in the Olympic Games, as only “independent states” have been recognised by the International Olympic Committee since revisions made in 1996 to the Olympic Charter.With the support of the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Olympic Committee, Macao had successfully held the 2005 East Asian Games, the 2006 Lusophony Games and the 2007 Asian Indoor Games.Macao would actively take part in events organised by the Olympic Council of Asia and promote development of competitive sport and “sport for all” in Macao, said Mr Chui.Mr Gou said his Administration would continue support the SAR Government in promoting sport development in Macao.While in Beijing, Mr Chui also held a meeting on Saturday (4 March) with the Minister of Education, Mr Chen Baosheng, to exchange views on cooperation on education between the mainland and Macao.The Chief Executive expressed his gratitude for the support of the Ministry, in particular its provision of further training for teachers and its help in enabling a greater number of Macao young people to receive an education in mainland universities. Such efforts were a source of encouragement for Macao’s education sector, added Mr Chui.Mr Chen said he believed cooperation between the Ministry and the Macao SAR would grow in strength, and provided ongoing, solid cooperation in several fields.Macao officials also attending Mr Chui’s meetings with mainland authorities included: the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng.
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Festival de ArtesThe 28^thMacao Arts Festival (MAF) Outreach Programme features 23 programmes multiplied in 44 activities, including talks, master classes, workshops, meet-the-artists sessions, school performances, art critique, accessibility services and movie screenings, expanding different art spaces and travelling across time and artistic spaces.The famous Hong Kong expert in Japanese culture, Kengo, holds the lecture “The Untold Secrets of Japan – Kengo’s Talk on Japanese Culture”, showing participants the way to understand the Japanese Yamato people and unveil crazy and bizarre secrets of Japan. In “Miss Revolutionary Idols Berserk”, Japanese director Toco Nikaido leads her artists in surprise appearances in the streets of Macao and in the appearance of idols in a mind-blowing performance.In turn, in “New Directing on Classics - Lecture-Workshop with Yana Ross”, Latvian theatre director Yana Ross addresses new directing methods and techniques in adapting classical texts by playwrights like Anton Chekhov. The “Master class with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company” helps participants to explore themselves, practice and reflect on how to use one’s own body in performances to express social issues. Acclaimed Japanese choreographer Hiroaki Umeda returns to Macao to share his unique perception of the human body, of technology, of performing arts and the aesthetics of multimedia.“One Day! Cantonese Opera” passes on the artistic essence of tradition, allowing participants to join hands with young actors and put into practice their Cantonese opera techniques, gain in-depth knowledge of the performing techniques of Cantonese opera, texts and costumes, and experience the world of Cantonese opera. The literary epic “Westland Feuds” leaps from the pages of the book to the stage and, in a pre-show talk, local playwright Lawrence Lei will share some of its highlights with the audience and explore the literary, performing and artistic value of this work. The “MAF Free Talks” invite art critics from all over the world to share their observations on and expectations on the Macao Arts Festival. Additionally, the organizer specially offers the digital platform “Your Reviews” to allow art lovers to leave their opinions and express their feelings. Likewise, the “Secondary School Students Writing on the MAF” will continue to improve young critics’ writing and arts appreciation skills.The Macao Arts Festival Outreach Programme aims to promote art activities for the whole family. Dutch TAMTAM objektentheater hosts the “Waste in Transformation – Creative Craft Classes for Parents and Children”, encouraging children to recycle used materials and “make the impossible possible”. The Strawberry Fields Arts Education Workshop also offers “Adventures of Illustrated Stories” and encourages children and adults to interact, revealing their performing abilities and imagination; family service organisations and groups are welcome to register. In “Remote Macao Performances for Schools”, participants put on their headphones and take part in a “remote-controlled journey”.For this edition of the MAF, seven outstanding and varied films were selected to be screened in several venues around Macau. In order to allow people with visual and hearing impairments to enjoy arts without barriers, arts accessibility services will be made available for several shows, including accessible captions and sign language interpretation services at the screenings of “My Way” and “Little Prince”. The children’s musical “Metamorphosis under Starry Night” will also feature Cantonese audio description for theatre services and 6 complimentary tickets for each performance are available for those in need of such services.Other activities are also available in the 28^th MAF Outreach Pogramme. For more information, please refer to the 28^th MAF Outreach Programme booklet or access the MAF’s webpage at www.icm.gov.mo/fam. Registration is free for most of the activities and applications are open from 13 March onwards. Places are limited, subject to availability. Interested parties can register online through the webpage www.icm.gov.mo/eform/event, or by phone. For more information and reservations, please call IC through tel. no. 8399 6699, during office hours.
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