The achievement briefing for the “2026 Hong Kong-Macao Youth Internship Programme at Palace Museum” was held at the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) yesterday, with the aim of conveying youngsters’ deep appreciation for their nation’s cultural heritage and the history of the Palace Museum in Beijing, the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) said yesterday.
During the one-day session, interns presented photos and videos highlighting their time at the Palace Museum and talked about their insights across three main areas: cultural heritage restoration and protection, museum curation and design, as well as museum marketing and public services.
IC President Deland Leong Wai Man pointed out that the Central People’s Government has designated Macau as a “base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist”. With steady progress on the development of the Macao International Integrated Tourism and Culture Zone of various cultural projects, demand for arts and cultural talent was expected to grow significantly, she said.
Leong encouraged the interns to align their personal ambitions with the broader development of the country and contribute to the development of the “Cultural Macau” concept, adding that her bureau plans to launch more high-quality programmes to deepen cultural exchanges between Macau and the Chinese mainland, and help young locals elevate their cultural literacy and professional skills, actively participate in developing the “Cultural Bay Area”, and jointly promote traditional Chinese culture.
Leong pointed out that since 2018, her bureau has supported 108 local youths to intern at the Palace Museum, creating a vital bridge for cultural practice.
Wang Hoi Sun, representing the interns, expressed the hope that the interns will use their newly acquired knowledge and spirit to give back to Macau and serve the nation, becoming outstanding cultural communicators, facilitators, and builders.
According to an IC statement, during the six-week internship programme, 20 university students from Macau and 20 youths from Hong Kong were assigned various roles at the Palace Museum. They visited special exhibitions, the ancient architectural complex, the National Museum of China, the Museum of the War of the Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and other key historic landmarks in Beijing.
Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Deland Leong Wai Man (centre, first row), interns from the “2026 Hong Kong-Macao Youth Internship Programme at Palace Museum” and others pose for a group photo during the achievement briefing for the internship programme, at the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) yesterday. – Photo: Ida Cheong
