The opening ceremony of the “10th Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” was held at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf on the afternoon of October 13.

Officials in attendance included: the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Director-General of the Commercial Delegation of the Department of Economic Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in the Macao SAR, Ms Li Huaying; the Coordinator of the Policy Research Office and Counsellor of the Commissary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Mr Ran Bo; the Consuls-General of Portuguese-speaking Countries in Macao; and the Secretary-General of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), Ms Xu Yingzhen. The opening ceremony also marked the beginning of the six-day “Sino-Lusophone Cultural Meeting at Fisherman’s Wharf”, one of the main activities under the 10th Cultural Week.

Ms Xu noted in her speech that 2018 marked the 15th anniversary of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, as well as the 10th anniversary of the Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. Since its launch, the Cultural Week had promoted Macao’s East-meets-West multiculturalism, establishing a platform for exchanges on such matters between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries.

The Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao has been aiming during its 15th-anniversary year – and in partnership with the Macao SAR Government and the Participating Countries in Forum Macao – to find innovative ways to promote and enrich cultural interchange, furthering Macao’s role as a Centre for Cultural Exchanges between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries.

The Opening Ceremony of the 10th Cultural Week was concluded by a dance and music performance from the Congjiang District Folk Group from Guizhou Province. Officiating guests, accompanied by Ms Xu, toured the “Guizhou Province and Portuguese-speaking Countries and Regions’ Handicraft Fair”, and a China-Portuguese-speaking Countries artistic photography collective exhibition.

Some of the activities included in the 10th Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries had already started on October 9.

The main event of this year’s Cultural Week is the Sino-Lusophone Cultural Meeting at Fisherman’s Wharf, held at Macao Fisherman’s Wharf from October 13 to 18. It includes several activities featuring artists from China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. The activities include: music and dance performances, a handicraft fair, a photo exhibition, a food showcase, product exhibitions, and workshops. Visitors are able experience – in one location – some of the various cultural aspects respectively of China and of each of the Portuguese-speaking Countries.

The Cultural Week also includes activities in Senado Square; at the Residence of the Consulate-General of Portugal in Macao; at the Taipa Houses; and at the Military Club. Such events are open to residents and tourists.