The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) said in a statement yesterday that its “Strolling through Almeida Ribeiro – Pilot Scheme for a Pedestrian Area” has been rescheduled from 12 p.m. on January 22, the first day of the Chinese New Year (CNY), until 10 p.m. on January 24, the third day of the CNY, and from 12 p.m. on February 4, the 14th day of the CNY, through 10 p.m. the following day, the 15th day of the CNY.
The five-day event, which is co-hosted by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Transport Bureau (DSAT), Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Public Security Police (PSP), Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) and Fire Services Bureau (CB), in conjunction with the city’s six gaming operators, aims to celebrate the Chinese New Year with residents and visitors, revitalise and promote an appropriate level of diversity in local neighbouring areas’ development, as well as to add more local cultural tourist attractions.
The event also aims to guide the public to enjoy the scenery and buildings around Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro from a new perspective, to inject cultural power, revitalise the economy in local neighbouring areas, to enrich the cultural and tourism integration experience, and to promote the image of Macau as a multi-aesthetic city with “Chinese culture as the mainstream and multi-cultures exchange and cooperation base”, the statement said.
The pedestrianised area which will be located in Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro (aka “San Ma Lou” in Cantonese – New Road) is about 450 metres long and divided into three sections, namely the “colourful clouds” themed “Magic Moment” which will run from Rua do Guimarães to Travessa do Matadouro, “Forest Footpath” running from Travessa do Matadouro to Rua dos Mercadores with the irregular placement of artificial vegetation, and “Urban Oasis” running from Rua dos Mercadores to Largo do Senado (Macau’s main square), where large parasols and chairs will be set up as tea houses for visitors to rest, according to the statement.
In order to usher in the Year of the Rabbit, a number of giant Lucky Rabbit installations will be placed along San Ma Lou, with large installations hung and displayed along the street, the statement said, adding that there will also be a number of art spots where street artists can perform and present their festive greetings to their audience.
Macau’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List items such as “Dragon’s Beard” candy-making skills and dough sculpture skills will be displayed, and a selection of cultural products, coffee and snack booths will be set up to offer original local products and creative food from January 22-24, the statement noted.
The statement added that a raft of performances and art installation displays will be carried out by the six gaming operators and the PSP in the pedestrian area from January 22-24.
Coinciding with the event, according to the statement, the section of San Ma Lou from Rua do Guimarães to Rua Central will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m. on January 22 to 12 a.m. on January 24 and from 8 a.m. on February 4 to 12 a.m. on February 5.
San Ma Lou is Macau’s main thoroughfare.
The artist’s rendition provided by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) yesterday shows its “Strolling through Almeida Ribeiro- Pilot Scheme for a Pedestrian Area” slated for Chinese New Year on January 22-24 and February 4-5.
