Review by William Chan
Macau’s GEG Lusofonia Festival commenced on Friday in the Taipa House area with the aim of promoting the various cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world through cuisine, arts & crafts. The festival ran from last Friday through Sunday and will continue from this Friday throughout the weekend.
Throughout the six-day event over two weekends, both local artistes and those from Portuguese-speaking countries have performed and will be performing at the Amphitheatre of the Taipa Houses and Largo do Carmo, presenting music and dance. Stalls at the Taipa Houses complex are showcasing arts & crafts, traditional attire, literature, and culinary delights from various countries and regions.
This past Sunday, local music group Fado Oriente performed, accompanied by a segment featuring the University of Macau Symphonic Band, in which I also participated. The ambiance was fantastic for both the audience and performers, exuding a casual and lively atmosphere. Organisers mentioned that this marked the first time that the annual festival featured a music performance akin to an orchestral band, indicating a step up in the event’s offerings.
The performances were free of charge, extending late into the night, allowing attendees to take breaks for food and drinks and return at their leisure. The laid-back atmosphere was inviting, with artistes on stage frequently interacting and engaging with the audience. During breaks between performances, children took to the stage to play, contributing to the festive and casual ambiance. Pop-up events added to the vibrancy of the area.
The first week appeared less crowded than last year, possibly due to this year’s festival spanning two weekends and adverse weather over this past weekend. The stalls were not overly crowded, and personally I did not find the items on sale particularly captivating, though they did contribute to the overall festive atmosphere.
The University of Macau’s band, which includes myself, is eagerly anticipating another performance scheduled for the upcoming Sunday. This show will feature festive-themed Samba and Fado music and present a rare opportunity for local non-Portuguese-speaking artistes to perform on the Lusofonia stage.
The Portuguese term “Lusofonia” denotes the Portuguese-speaking world. When Portugal was still a province of the Roman Empire, it was known as Lusitania.
Fado Oriente and the University of Macau Symphonic Band pose after their performance at the Amphitheatre of Taipa Houses on Sunday night. – Photos provided by the band
