The Lusofonia Festival and the Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries are once again being held consecutively this year. For a total of 12 days, the two events will celebrate the culture of Portuguese-speaking countries and regions, with activities for children and grownups, in various places around Macau.

The annual Lusofonia Festival, showcasing Portuguese-speaking cultures from around the world, takes place in October near the amphitheatre of the Taipa Houses Museum, from 17^th to 19^th October. The event offers superb live entertainment, great food and beverages, fun games plus arts and crafts from several far-flung places in the Portuguese-speaking world. A number of venues near the Taipa Houses Museum and adjoining streets in Old Taipa Village will be festooned with traditional Portuguese features, encouraging participants to enjoy themselves in a place resembling an exotic country.

Co-organised by the Civic & Municipal Affairs Bureau and Macau Government Tourist Office, the 17^th Lusofonia Festival will be held from 17^th to 19^th October. The three-day event includes a wide variety of Festival performances every evening, such as musical performances by ensembles from Portuguese-speaking countries and Macau, traditional Portuguese games and football matches. A Lusofonia Gastronomy Restaurant will also be set up, together with a Computer Games Macau Grand Prix Simulation facility. Kids can enjoy large inflatable toys and pony rides as well as running commentary by Carmo Radio. The music of Portuguese-speaking countries will be played around the clock, encouraging participants of different ages and culture to have great fun with a touch of East meets West.

Ten booths from Portuguese-speaking communities residing in Macau will provide supporting music, pictures, videos, arts and crafts, garments, books, souvenirs, local snacks and beverages from far-flung Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Portugal and Macau.

In addition, the 6^th Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries will be held in various places around Macau from 21^st to 30^th October. This event will feature a number of programmes, including song and dance, drama, delicacies, a craft fair and parade. During Cultural Week, a craft fair will take place in Carmo Market from 24^th to 30^th October. The parade - held on 26^th October - will make its way from the Ruins of St. Paul’s to Senado Square, welcoming people on the streets to join in the carnival atmosphere.