The “SJM Presents: Culture City of East Asia Lantern Festival” kicked off last night at Grand Lisboa Palace (GLP) in Cotai, presenting lantern installations created by four artists from Culture Cities of Asia, namely Macau, Huzhou in Zhejiang Province, Kamakura in Japan, and Anseong in South Korea.
Presented by SJM Resorts in conjunction with the Macau Artist Society, the exhibition marks its fourth year, with the festival being a programme of the “Culture City of East Asia 2025 – Macao, China”. It celebrates both National Day, which is tomorrow, and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which this year falls on Monday, October 6.
The artworks showcased, which have QR codes to scan for augmented reality (AR) animations, comprise “Brush and Moonlit Peaks” by Lyu Weiguo from Huzhou; local artist Leong Kitman’s “Fish of Fortune”; Japanese artist Ayumi Muramatsu’s “The Grateful Crane 2025”; and “The Tiger’s Auspicious Message” by Anseong’s DHAL. Each are showcased until November 23, with installations also on display outside Hong Kung Temple in the Inner Harbour district during the period.
Addressing yesterday’s kick-off ceremony, SJM Managing Director Daisy Ho Chiu-fung said in a speech that the exhibition “pays tribute to the shared traditions of China, Japan, and Korea, while also celebrating the distinctive artistic voices of each culture. It underscores the power of art as a universal language – one that brings together our community and visitors alike in a shared spirit of reunion and hope.”
Macau Artist Society President Lok Hei noted in his speech that this year’s artworks highlight the unique cultural heritage of East Asia and embodies “the innovative fusion of traditional lantern craft techniques with contemporary artistic innovation.”
Aside from lighting up the works at last night’s opening ceremony, a live performance featuring on-the-spot calligraphy by Muramatsu and percussions by local artist Uly’s was also held.
Meanwhile, a statement provided by SJM Resorts last night noted that the Mid-Autumn Festival Pop-up Event is slated to be held in Hong Kung Temple Square at Largo do Pagode do Bazar (“Bazaar Pagoda Square”) and Kam Pek Market on Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the event featuring free lantern-making workshops and riddle booths. One can also exchange stamps for prizes at the exhibition in front of Hong Kung Temple, the statement added.
SJM Managing Director Daisy Ho Chiu-fung (first from left) and Macau Artist Society President Lok Hei (first from right) pose with guests attending yesterday’s “SJM Presents: Culture City of East Asia Lantern Festival” kick-off ceremony at Grand Lisboa Palace (GLP) in Cotai. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
