The 18th China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Cultural Week will be held from this Saturday through to July 10 under the theme “Sino-Lusophone Cultural Encounters, Friendship Without Borders”.
The event features a programme of performances, exhibitions, cultural exchanges and gastronomy activities across Macau, Qinghai and Beijing, the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) – also known as Forum Macao – announced in a press conference yesterday at the headquarters of Forum Macao in Nam Van.
The press conference was hosted by the Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat, Ji Xianzheng, alongside Deputy Secretaries-General Xie Ying and Danilo Henriques, who introduced the main activities of this year’s edition.
Organised and coordinated by Forum Macao, the event aims to strengthen cultural exchanges between China and the world’s nine Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs) while striving to reinforce Macau’s role as a platform connecting China and the PSCs.
Speaking at the press conference, Ji said that the event continues the “three-city linkage” model adopted in recent years, whilst further improving professionalism and enhancing the distinct characteristics of the cultural week through cooperation between Macau and Chinese mainland cities.
According to a statement by Forum Macao yesterday, this year’s programme retains its traditional artistic performances, cultural visits and Portuguese-speaking countries food showcase, whilst introducing a new handicrafts exhibition featuring works from PSCs. The statement noted that the organisers will also support the China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Youth Short Video Competition, aiming to create a new audiovisual cooperation platform focused on youth creativity and digital communication.
Local activities will begin this Friday with the launch of the “Portuguese-speaking Countries Gastronomy Showcase”, the statement noted. Meanwhile, the “Portuguese-speaking Countries Handicrafts Exhibition” will open at the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) Gallery, opposite the city’s main square, Largo do Senado, next Monday and run until July 5.
However, Ji pointed out that because recent Ebola outbreaks have emerged in some countries, the Macau Health Bureau (SSM) has issued a prevention warning to stop the virus from spreading. Based on the bureau’s warning, the organisers had to make a difficult decision to ensure the safety of all participants and the general public, Ji said.
Ji revealed that Angola will not participate in this year’s event, considering the bureau’s warning. The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers Angola high-risk as far as Ebola is concerned. However, no Ebola case has so far been confirmed, according to international newswire reports.
Ji noted that Forum Macao will remain in close contact with relevant personnel to coordinate prevention efforts, adding that public safety, health, and prevention are the top priorities, with the goal of ensuring that every participant can enjoy the event in a safe and peaceful environment.
The official opening ceremony of the Macau programme will take place next Tuesday in Largo do Senado, followed by music and dance performances from the Chinese mainland and PSCs for two consecutive evenings, the statement highlighted. The statement underlined that the Qinghai programme will centre in Xining’s Tangdao 637 Square, aiming to combine cultural performances with trade promotion and tourism activities.
Xining is the capital of Qinghai. The northeastern province has six million inhabitants.
Meanwhile, Beijing’s events will be held in Chaoyang Park’s Beike (“Shell”) Theatre Plaza, focusing on cultural exchange activities and artistic performances.
Secretary-General of Forum Macao’s Permanent Secretariat Ji Xianzheng addresses yesterday’s 18th China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Cultural Week press conference at the organisation’s headquarters in Nam Van. – Photo: Khalel Vallo
