The “11th MGM Junior Lion Dance Summer Class 2025” launched last Sunday during an opening ceremony at MGM MACAU, with integrated resort operator MGM saying in a statement released on the same day that this year saw record-high applications.
The statement noted that applications for the summer class, during which 100 junior lion dancers will undergo seven weeks of training at the former Barra Abattoir, exceeded the enrolment quota by six times. The statement quoted MGM Brand Marketing Senior Vice President Catarina Lio (廖頴琦) as saying that the company was “delighted to see a record-breaking number of applicants from nearly 70 percent of schools across Macau, with the number of female applicants tripling compared to last year”.
The opening ceremony was joined by nearly 250 junior lion dancers and their families. A performance by the “MGM Lion Dance Training Programme” members was also held, while the alumni also tied waist belts on the new lion dancers as part of tradition, according to the statement.
The statement said that the summer class kicks off the “MGM Lion Dance Championship 2025 Annual Spectacle”, which features a lineup of activities, among which is the “12th International Lion Dance Championship 2025 – MGM Cup” set to take place on October 4 and 5 in Barra Square opposite A Ma Temple.
This photo provided by MGM on Sunday shows a performance taking place during the opening ceremony for the “11th MGM Junior Lion Dance Summer Class 2025” on the same day.
