The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) reopened the Taipa Houses’ Nostalgic House yesterday with the launch of its “Spiritual Narrative – 2025 Annual Arts Exhibition between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries,” bringing together eight artists for a cross-cultural showcase.
Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday, the bureau welcomed guests including Bai Bing, deputy director of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government; Cheang Kai Meng, vice president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau; Paula Costa, coordinator of the Portuguese Language Centre of the Instituto Português do Oriente (IPOR); João Ó, coordinator of the Annual Arts Exhibition; as well as participating artists and cultural practitioners.
Centred on the theme “Spiritual Narrative,” the exhibition draws inspiration from 16th-century travellers Fernão Mendes Pinto and Xu Xiake, whose writings reflected their philosophical outlooks on life. The show features 28 works across painting, sculpture, video and installation by artists from China and the Portuguese-speaking world, including Cao Yu, Carla Cabanas, Délio Jasse, Juliana Matsumura, Eugénia Mussa, Tong Wenmin, Cosmo Wong, and Wong Hio Chit.
In his remarks, Cheang said the exhibition “takes arts as a bridge,” adding that it aims to promote deeper dialogue between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries and strives to leverage Macau’s role as “a base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist”.
The exhibition forms part of the “7th Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries”. With free admission, the exhibition is on until March 1 next year at the Exhibitions Gallery and Nostalgic House of the Taipa Houses, open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. except Mondays, with guided tours in Cantonese and Putonghua provided at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. at weekends and public holidays throughout this month.
Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) Vice President Cheang Kai Meng delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the “Spiritual Narrative – 2025 Annual Arts Exhibition between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries” at the Exhibitions Gallery and Nostalgic House of the Taipa Houses. – Photo: Khalel Vallo
