The “Macao International Museum Day Carnival 2026” brought 26 museums to Praça dos Lótus in Ilha Verde district yesterday, offering interactive games, workshops and performances to celebrate International Museum Day and promote cultural engagement within the community.
The one-day annual event hosted by Macau’s museums featured a range of activities, including children’s Cantonese Opera performances, educational workshops and interactive booths, attracting residents and visitors throughout the afternoon.
The opening ceremony was officiated by several government officials and cultural representatives, including Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Deland Leong Wai Man, who addressed attendees during the event. In her speech, Leong highlighted this year’s International Museum Day theme, “Museums Uniting a Divided World”, describing museums as important public spaces that connect different cultures and communities.
“As open and accessible public spaces, museums serve as important links connecting different cultures”, Leong said, noting that museums across Macau joined hands this year to organise exhibitions, workshops, creative competitions and other activities aimed at revitalising museum resources and encouraging greater public participation through innovative experiences. She added that hosting the carnival in Praça dos Lótus integrated historical, artistic, cultural and technological elements into community life while providing a platform for inclusiveness and cultural sharing among different age groups. “Over the years, museums across Macau have remained committed to bringing cultural and museum resources closer to the public”, Leong said, adding that such efforts help strengthen residents’ cultural identity.
During the opening ceremony, organisers also held the inauguration of the “Senior Docent Training Programme 2026” and the award presentation for the “2026 Macao International Museum Day Joint Museums Postcard Design Contest”. The docent programme* aims to enhance seniors’ cultural knowledge and communication skills through training, visits and guided tour practice, according to a statement by the bureau yesterday.
Open to permanent residents aged between 55 and 75, the programme expanded its quota from 25 to 30 participants due to strong public response, the statement said. Meanwhile, the event’s postcard design competition encouraged participants to reflect on the role of museums in contemporary society through creative expression.
The contest featured children, youth, illustration and AI tool creation categories, receiving 185 entries in total. Throughout the carnival, participating museums hosted numerous themed activities and workshops, including cultural games, heritage challenges, painting demonstrations and interactive science activities designed to highlight the educational role of museums.
Among the participating institutions were the Macau Museum of Art (MAM) in Nape, Maritime Museum in Barra, and Macau Science Centre (MSC) in Nape.
* A docent programme is a structured initiative designed to train and manage volunteers – known as docents – who act as guides and educators within cultural institutions. Derived from the Latin word docere (to teach), these programmes bridge the gap between a collection and its audience. While most commonly associated with museums, these programmes are also found in art galleries, zoos, botanical gardens, and historical heritage sites. – Gemini
Youngsters perform Cantonese Opera during yesterday’s “Macao International Museum Day Carnival 2026” in Praça dos Lótus in Ilha Verde district yesterday. – Photos: Khalel Vallo
Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Deland Leong Wai Man addresses the carnival’s opening ceremony yesterday.
