The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) yesterday presented its plans for 2023, including the promotion of local cultural and creative industries and their integration with other local industries through the revitalisation of the Mandarin’s House, the Dom Pedro V Theatre and the Navy Yard as future performance venues, Cultural Development Advisory Committee Vice President and IC President Leong Wai Man announced.
Leong made the remarks during a press conference after this year’s third regular closed-door meeting of the government-appointed Cultural Development Advisory Committee at the Macau Cultural Centre in Nape.
The three venues, according to Leong, are considered to boast their very own “Macau style” each, which Leong said could distinguish them from performance venues in neighbouring regions, thereby being able to represent Macau.
Leong underlined that the Mandarin’s House has a wide walled area, which is able to provide a satisfying experience and the required flexibility to handle different types of performances. Leong pointed out that the traditional evening performances at the Mandarin’s House are greatly favoured by audiences for its rich cultural heritage.
As for the Dom Pedro V Theatre, Leong noted that it’s the first Western-style theatre built in China and has always been used as a performance venue.
The bureau hopes to arrange performances in these three venues in a planned manner and to activate cultural facilities as a platform for nurturing local arts groups.
More flexibility for ‘buskers’
According to Leong, the bureau has issued more than 800 “busker cards’’ to allow artists to perform at the government’s specified venues. However, Leong acknowledged, the current performance venues for buskers are quite limited, and she pledged that her team will work to create conditions offering more flexibility for local artists and even overseas artists to perform here.
Committee member Ieng Weng Fat pointed out that non-local artists who come to Macau to perform in the streets may be subject to the law on the employment of non-residence workers, as they are be engaged in activities that generate income., In reply, Leong quoted Cultural Development Advisory Committee President-cum-Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U as saying that it wasn’t necessarily a legal constraint, adding Ao Ieong believed that the issue could be addressed in the future.
More incentives for film crews
Leong also pointed out that the bureau will continue to promote cooperation between local and overseas film crews to attract production teams to come to Macau.
Leong pointed out that of the 190 filming applications received last year, 70 percent were for local productions, over 20 percent were from the mainland and just one to two percent were from other regions or countries.
Leong said she would gradually improve the conditions for crews filming in Macau, such as improving the workflow and communication mechanism during filming, speeding up the approval process and creating more incentives to attract overseas film crews to Macau.
Lai Chi Vun’s revitalisation in progress
During yesterday’s meeting, government officials mentioned that the Navy Yard and the Lai Chi Vun shipyard area will be made available for commercial operations by using the historical buildings to enhance visitors’ cultural tourism experience and promote cultural tourism.
When asked by the media when the Lai Chi Vun shipyard area will be ready, Leong said that the revitalisation project has already started, but pointed out that the work progress had been affected by the recent COVID-19 outbreak.
Leong added that the current target is to complete the structural restorations by the end of the year, and then to set up the area’s leisure facilities.
Leong also pointed out that the partial opening of the Iec Long Firework Factory in Taipa is targeted to be completed by the end of this year, including the renovation and refurbishment of its entrance.
Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Leong Wai Man (left) speaks during a press conference as Cultural Development Advisory Committee member Ieng Weng Fat looks on after the committee’s regular close-door meeting at the Macau Cultural Centre yesterday. – Photo: Ginnie Liang
