On June 14, Macau will start to host a series of events to mark “China Cultural and Natural Heritage Day,” featuring workshops, exhibitions, and special access to historic sites, according to a statement from the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) last week.
China Cultural and Natural Heritage Day (中国文化和自然遗产日) is an annual observance aimed at promoting the protection and appreciation of the country’s cultural and natural heritage. Established in 2017, it is celebrated on the second Saturday of June each year.
The statement highlighted that the bureau aims to promote traditional Chinese culture through the upcoming events at various cultural facilities in Macau.
Notably, the Guia Lighthouse will have free admission on June 14-15 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., allowing visitors to enjoy panoramic views from its observation deck.
Additionally, a virtual reality (VR) exhibition titled “Visiting the Ruins of St. Paul’s in Space and Time” will run free weekend sessions from June 1 to 29. These half-hour-long sessions will take place on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The statement also noted that this year guided tours of the Senado Library will also be available. Residents can sign up starting at 10 a.m. on May 28 via the Macao One Account. If there are more registrants than available spots, participants will be selected by lucky draw. Guided tours will also be offered at various cultural institutions on weekends, with on-site registration.
The bureau has also lined up multiple workshops across cultural venues, including calligraphy on Chinese fans, pyrography*, ceramic painting, and rare book restoration, the statement said. Some sessions will be reserved for seniors, while others will cater to families and children. Registration for these free workshops can be done through the Macao One Account’s “Activity Application,” with a lucky draw for oversubscribed sessions.
Furthermore, the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) is currently hosting the exhibition “Gems from Kilns: Shiwan Ceramics from the Macao Museum of Art Collection,” which runs until October 7. From June 14 to July 13, the museum will also feature the “Genesis and Spirit - Showcase of Gansu Intangible Cultural Heritage” exhibition. On June 15-16, performances related to the theme will take place in the city’s main square, Largo do Senado, and Iao Hon Market Garden respectively.
For more details, visit the IC’s website or follow its official social media channels.
*Pyrography is the art of decorating wood or other materials with burn marks, typically using a heated object like a metal pen or wire tip. The term comes from the Greek words pyr (fire) and graphos (writing). – DeepSeek
This undated handout photo provided by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) shows a fan from the “Chinese Fan Calligraphy Workshop” at the House of Macao Literature.
