Summer heat is on in Macao

For ardent culture seekers, Macao has a flourishing calendar of arty fares this July – from the colorful biennale Art Macao and the jolly Arraial na Ervanários 2023 to the opening of the revitalized Lai Chi Vun Shipyards.

Come summer and Macao is poised for a showcase of new discoveries. This month, hop to this increasingly creative city for an art fix. There’s a mesmerizing collection of modern and contemporary art pieces from over 20 countries and regions, as part of the city-wide marquee event Art Macao; a tourist hotspot that embraces the power of sustainable community and technologies; and an incredible opportunity to investigate the long and rich history behind Macao’s shipbuilding heritage.

Best of all, tourists from Hong Kong will get to travel to Macao with the exciting promotions featured at Olympian City 2’s ‘Experience Macao, Unlimited’ roadshow. Take a look at what our friendly neighbor destination has in store for us in the cultural domain!

Art bonanza

One of the city’s cultural highlights is the biennale Art Macao. From 27 July through 29 October, ‘Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2023’ will bring together a smorgasbord of eclectic art pieces from more than 20 countries and regions. Chief curator Qiu Zhijie and global creative forces have put together a city-wide mega show, speaking to the theme of “The Statistics of Fortune” to explore the clashes and intersection of science and religion.

Via eight sections – the Main Exhibition, Public Art Exhibition, City Pavilion, Special Exhibition, Invitational Exhibition by Local Artists, Local Curatorial Project, Art Exhibition of Higher Education Institutions and Collateral Exhibition – some 30 art exhibitions will dot across the city, showcasing modern and contemporary masterpieces that are equal parts zestful and distinctive. There’s no better time than now to experience first-hand the cultural and artistic significance of Macao, and find out why the city is justifiably hailed as a World Heritage City.

Art Macao 2023: www.artmacao.mo

Reinvigorating heritage

One of the city’s cultural highlights is the biennale Art MaIn a bid to keep Macao’s maritime past alive, two shipyards in Lai Chi Vun village have most recently been faithfully restored. Sitting on the riverside of Lai Chi Vun Road, the Lai Chi Vun Shipyards went way back to the 1950s until they finally ceased operations in the 1990s. This is Macao’s only extant shipbuilding industry site that is relatively intact, and a testimony to the city’s urban development, industrialization and lifestyle of a bygone era.

A painstaking revitalization project has breathed new life into lots X11-X15, which now feature a thematic exhibition, a featured market and live busking performances, as well as regular thematic concerts and workshops. For those who want to dive deep into Macao’s shipbuilding past, a thematic exhibition entitled ‘Moments in History – The Story of Lai Chi Vun Village’ will present the customs of the population and vicissitudes of the area, with guided tours in Cantonese and Mandarin. There are also 15 market stalls displaying and selling souvenirs with cultural characteristics of Coloane, original merchandise and special lip-smacking snacks.

Lai Chi Vun Shipyards: www.icm.gov.mo/en/Laichivun

Fun and games

Take a trip to Rua dos Ervanários District and marvel at a fusion of cutting-edge technologies as part of the Arraial na Ervanários 2023. From 21 June to 20 September, an endearing feline theme takes center stage at this community event that is on everyone’s radar.

The autostereoscopy (glassless 3D display) Cat Theatre, high-tech fog screen featuring adorable kitten, and LED memorial arch are just around the corner for you to explore. Don’t forget to strike a pose and snap as many shots as you want. As if all the fun and games are not enough, visitors can, via a mobile app, collect stamps, check-in and share, and earn points for chances to win great prizes including electronic gadgets, buffet vouchers and more; not to mention consumption discounts from local merchants.

Arraial na Ervanários 2023: https://ervanarios-macau.com/en.html

An all-rounded showcase

Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has organized the ‘Experience Macao, Unlimited’ three-day roadshow at Hong Kong’s Olympian City 2, featuring a suite of performances and games for Hongkongers to make the most of this enchanting city. First off, celebrities including Carol Cheng, Chantel Yiu, Phoebus Ng, and ‘MrLittleCat’ Ying Chi Yuet will kick off the opening ceremony on July 7 – don’t miss out on the chance to engage these superstars in interactive games!

The lineup of activities from July 8 to 9 is even more intriguing. MGTO’s Mega Sale is simply irresistible with some awesome promotional offers (such as a Macao hotel package for as low as $550/person), while Macao’s six integrated resorts will put on scintillating dance shows and roll out a series of dining, accommodation and shopping vouchers, with celebrity chef teaching you the basics of Macanese cuisine. For a joyful experience, workshops, KOL sharing and a fun-filled meet-and-greet with Macao Tourism Mascot MAK MAK await.

‘Experience Macao, Unlimited’ roadshow: bit.ly/44w4J1a

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