The opening ceremony of the 11th Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries was held on October 12 in the afternoon at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf. The festival is organised by the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao.

Officiating guests at the ceremony included: the Secretary-General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Wang Xindong; the Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Ms Xu Yingzhen; Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Ms Li Huaying; the Director of the Policy Research Department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao SAR, Mr Ran Bol; the Consul-General of Angola in the Macao SAR, Ms Sofia Pegado da Silva; the Consul-General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong, Mr Paulo Cunha Alves; the Consul of Brazil in Hong Kong and Macao, Mr Rafael Paulino; the Honorary Consul of Cape Verde in the Macao SAR, Mr David Chow; and Mr Francisco Domingos Manhiça, on behalf of the Consul-General of Mozambique in the Macao MSAR.

Secretary-General Ms Xu stated in her speech at the opening ceremony that the Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries was complementary to economic and trade cooperation between the two blocs, fostering effective people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding. The Permanent Secretariat would continue to explore new models for promoting cultural exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, looking for new channels to deepen cooperation between Mainland China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries, she said.

The opening ceremony marked the official launch of the 11th Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, an event which features a rich programme of activities. The ceremony included a performance from a folk-dance troupe from China’s Hebei Province. Guests at the opening ceremony toured the Handicraft Fair of the 11th Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and arts exhibitions featuring works of people from Portuguese-speaking Countries. The guests were led on the tour by Forum Macao Secretary-General Ms Xu.

The first Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries was in 2008. Each gathering brings together people from Mainland China, from the Macao SAR, and from Portuguese-speaking Countries and regions, to share with others, aspects of their respective cultures. The week actively contributes to Macao’s role as a cultural exchange platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

The main activities of the 11th Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries are scheduled to take place from October 12 to 18 at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf. Other venues for activities include: Senado Square; the Gallery in the Official Residence of the Portuguese Consul-General in Macao and Hong Kong; and the Old Court Building.

The 11th Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries includes: folk music and dance shows, art exhibitions, theatre performances, a handicraft fair and food promotion events. It brings together performers, artists and chefs from nine Portuguese-speaking countries and territories: Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, Timor-Leste and São Tomé and Príncipe, plus Goa, Daman and Diu (India). Also taking part are artists from Macao and from Hebei Province in Mainland China.

The Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries aims to offer audiences major treats for all the senses. Locals and tourists are all invited to experience the unique atmosphere of the festival.