Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Deland Leong Wai Man said yesterday that the government is planning to add a new batch of items to its inventory of intangible cultural heritage later this year.
Leong made the remarks during a press briefing yesterday after a closed-door regular meeting of the government-appointed Cultural Heritage Council at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape.
The Cultural Heritage Protection Law defines cultural heritage as comprising intangible cultural heritage and tangible cultural heritage that consists of classified immovable properties, i.e., cultural heritage construction structures, and movable properties.
According to the law, which came into force in March 2014, the Cultural Affairs Bureau is required to draw up an inventory of intangible cultural heritage with the aim of ensuring the protection of Macau’s various items of intangible cultural heritage, as well as to update the inventory, i.e., adding items, in compliance with the findings of its latest surveys and research studies.
According to its website, the bureau first put 15 items of intangible cultural heritage into the inventory in 2017, before adding 55 more in 2020, because of which the inventory currently comprises 70 items.
Details in English about all 70 items listed in the government’s Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage can be checked on: https://www.culturalheritage.mo/en/detail/102318.
Leong told reporters late last year that the new batch of intangible cultural heritage would comprise over 20 items.
Leong also said during yesterday’s press briefing that her bureau will continue to strengthen its education campaign for the importance of protecting Macau’s intangible cultural heritage targeting school students and various other groups of residents as well.
Leong also noted that her bureau rolled out a programme last year aiming to encourage young people to safeguard and pass on Macau’s intangible cultural heritage, and to convert intangible cultural heritage items into cultural and creative products sold in the market. She said that the programme was well received, and consequently her bureau is planning to launch it again later this year.
Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Deland Leong Wai Man (right) and Lok Nam Tak, a member of the government-appointed Cultural Heritage Council, address yesterday’s press briefing after the council’s regular meeting at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape. – Photo: Tony Wong
