The Tap Siac Craft Market in Spring was inaugurated yesterday in Praça do Tap Seac. Hong Kong stallholders told The Macau Post Daily that they found the atmosphere of the market “very appealing” and were pleased with the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s (IC) arrangements and support for the stallholders.

“Tap Siac” is the bureau’s alternate spelling for “Tap Seac”. The craft market is being held from yesterday through Sunday, and from next Thursday to April 30.

The craft market features over 220 distinctive handicrafts and creative gastronomy stalls by cultural and creative entities from Macau, the mainland and Hong Kong, showcasing and selling a diverse range of original products including daily necessities, clothing and accessories, handicrafts, as well as natural and handmade products, plus a number of music performances and creative handicraft workshops.

Of the 220 stalls, 34 are from Hong Kong, the first time the vendors have taken part in Tap Siac Craft Market since 2019, the last pre-COVID-19 pandemic year.

One Hong Kong stallholder, surnamed Lei, said she was happy to be back in Macau with her designs despite the rain expected during the craft market this week, adding that her favourite part was staying in Macau to have fun and enjoy the food with friends after the market closed

Another stallholder, surnamed Ng from Hong Kong, admitted that it was “no small burden” for her to travel from Hong Kong to Macau and stay for the entire period as she had to pay for accommodation, adding that she hoped the sale of her products would cover the cost of her stay.

Another stallholder, surnamed Miu from Hong Kong, said he found the experience of being a stallholder at the Tap Siac Craft Market better than in Hong Kong because of the large space, the ample electricity provided by the organisers and the fact that there are few large outdoor craft markets in Hong Kong.

Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) Acting President Cheong Lai San said during the opening ceremony yesterday that the bureau will continuously work with different organisations and the cultural and creative industries to explore broader markets and more platforms for exchange and cooperation, thereby contributing Macau’s cultural and creative strength to the quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA). 

Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) Acting President Cheong Lai San (centre) and other officials and representatives are about to cut the ribbon yesterday during the market’s opening ceremony. – Photos by Ginnie Liang

This photo combo taken yesterday shows a range of products on offer at the Tap Siac Craft Market in Praça do Tap Seac.