The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) announced yesterday that between tomorrow and March 5 a raft of “characteristic activities” will be held at the erstwhile Iec Long (益隆) Firecracker Factory in Taipa, comprising music performances, parent-child tea art workshops and guided tours of the history of the firecracker factory, enabling “residents and tourists to spend a leisurely time surrounded by art and culture” at the site.
In order to enhance the public’s understanding of Macau’s firecracker industry, guided tours will be undertaken every Saturday and Sunday starting at 3 p.m. this month, according to an IC statement yesterday, which added that guided tours will be conducted in either Cantonese or Putonghua to inform the public of the history of Macau’s pyrotechnic industry in general and the firecracker factory in particular. Registration is not required.
The statement noted that from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow, next Saturday and on February 25, musicians will take turns to perform at the factory’s entrance near Chun Su Mei (“Pine Tree Tail”) Community Centre.
From next Sunday through March 5, a “Tea Coaster Exhibition” will be held in the square at the entrance to promote traditional Chinese tea culture, while a “Parent-Child Tea Workshop” will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday on February 19 and 26, and on March 5. Each workshop is limited to 10 pairs comprising an adult and child aged between six and 12. All children must be accompanied by an adult, the statement said, adding that those who are interested in participating in the workshop can sign up for it through their Macao One Account.
The bureau’s first-phase revitalisation of the factory, which has been partially open to the public since late December last year, has logged over 47,000 visitors, the statement noted.
In the next stage, the statement pointed out, the bureau will gradually make use of the factory’s space to provide more fun facilities for children, including tree houses, and experience activities. The statement added that in order to further promote the development of Macau’s cultural and creative industries, speciality coffee shops will be set up and performers will be invited to the site.
The factory’s 400-metre wooden walkway is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, while the exhibition gallery and cultural gift shop are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, both with free admission.
More details can be found at the bureau’s website: www.icm.gov.mo.
The whole Iec Long Firecracker Factory site covers around 25,000 square metres.
“Iec Long” literally means “beneficial prosperity”.
Macau was one of the world’s leading firecracker producers until the late 1960s.
This undated handout photo provided by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) yesterday shows the revitalised area of the erstwhile Iec Long Firecracker Factory site in Taipa.
