Prisca Tang
The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) said in a statement yesterday that a new event titled “Light up Macao Drone Gala” will debut on National Day and will have 10 sessions between October 1 and 23.
According to the statement, the drone performance will be at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on October 1, 3, 9, 16 and 23 at the Nam Van Lake area and Anim’ Arte NAM VAN. The statement noted that 300 drones will light up the sky during each show lasting for 10-15 minutes.
The statement said that due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pyrotechnic teams from different countries have not been able to come to Macau for the city’s annual Firework Display Contest. Therefore, MGTO decided to launch the brand-new project – “Light up Macao Drone Gala”.
The statement elaborated that the “Light up Macao Drone Gala” is a visual art extravaganza that takes place using the canopy of the evening sky, adding that it “orchestrates a symphony of technology, integrated 2D and 3D design, light and sound effects, resembling a constellation of stars which adorn the city’s night skyline”.
Theme & arrangements on showdays
MGTO said that it has invited five teams from Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Tianjin to perform 10 sessions of drone formation shows at Nam Van Lake in October. The statement underlined that that three of the five teams set the world records for the longest drone flight time and the most drones flying simultaneously.
The statement said that the themes of the performances are The Art of Love for Motherland”, “Build Your Dreamland”, “Charm of Macau”, “Embrace Your Journey in Macau” and “Passion for Macau”.
According to the statement, prior to entering the white canopy at Anim’ Arte NAM VAN where residents can watch the drone performance, spectators are required to present a valid Macau Health Codes, undergo temperature checks, and wear facemasks while maintaining at least one-metre social distancing. The statement stressed that the show will be staged twice per night, but spectators can also enjoy the shows live broadcast on TDM – Macau TV Channel (9:30 p.m. every show night) and TDM Entertainment TV Channel (7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. every show night) with the synchronised music streaming on TDM – Radio Macau’s Chinese Channel (FM100.7) every scheduled evening.
The statement underlined that from 6-7 p.m. every show night, vehicle access limits will be imposed along Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van and Avenida Doutor Stanley Ho, adding that from 7-10 p.m., road closures (except for authorised vehicles) will be implemented along the vehicle passage adjacent to Nam Van Lake on Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van. The statement also said that from 7-10 p.m. every show night, temporary bus stops will be available on Rua do Lago Sai Van and Praça de Jorge Álvares (on the road near New Yaohan Building).
The statement noted that the drone performance is subject to wind speed and rainfall, pointing out that if the weather is not favourable for the show, MGTO will announce the news to the public two hours before the show time, if possible.
