• This year’s Macao International Parade will once again depart from the Ruins of St Paul’s and is expected to attract 1800 performers (Photo courtesy of Cultural Affairs Bureau)
  • Zhanjiang of Guangdong province will perform the Zhanjiang Human Dragon Dance, one of the first art performances in Guangdong being inscribed in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage (Photo courtesy of Cultural Affairs Bureau)

2019 Macao International Parade Showcasing Culture and Arts from the Belt and Road

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Organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Macao’s Handover to China, the ‘2019 Macao International Parade’ will be held on 8th December. Performing groups from all over the world and local artists will  perform under the theme of this year’s Parade,  which highlights the cultural and artistic characteristics of countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative, bringing a festive atmosphere of the Parade as ‘an annual celebration for the entire city - VIVA!’.

The ‘2019 Macao International Parade’ will feature an estimated number of 1800 artists of 61 local groups and 19 groups from countries and territories across five continents, including Portugal, Kenya, Angola, Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, Hungary, Chili, Cyprus, New Zealand, Italy, Russia, Myanmar, Thailand, Zhanjiang of Guangdong province as well as Hong Kong, bringing a grand feast of cultural exchange to spectators, and giving full play to the rich cultural and artistic characteristics of these countries and regions.

On the day of the Parade, performing groups Traditions Association and Portugal ArtFusion will tell the story of Portuguese tea farmers through stilts and physical theatre performances; the group Acrobatic Kenya will present a series of challenging acrobatic moves; the group Jumping Robots from Russia will bounce and roll across the bustling areas of the city; the Ladies’ Moon from Italy will transform into fairies and dance with the spectators. In addition, performers from Zhanjiang of Guangdong Province will present Zhanjiang Human Dragon Dance, which is one of the first art performances in Guangdong being inscribed in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The spectacular dance routine is performed by a group of adults and children forming a giant dragon. More exceptional performances will also be presented by other performing groups during the Parade.

The participating groups will depart from the Ruins of St. Paul’s, leading residents and visitors to pass through the old streets and alleys in the Historic Centre of Macao. Afterwards they will pass through the bustling Senado Square where they interact with spectators along the way, spreading joy throughout the city. They will then continue along the way until they finally arrive at the VIVA Carnival on Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, and compete for a range of different prizes. During the Carnival, there will be giant inflatable puppets, game booths and a seating area. A number of secret art groups will show up to surprise and share their jubilation with spectators and finally gather at the Sai Van Lake Square for the Handover Celebration, a feast of ‘Love, Peace and Cultural Integration’.

In order to allow more spectators to enjoy the lively atmosphere, TDM - Teledifusão de Macau, S.A. will broadcast the entire event live as well as on outdoor screens, which will be installed in several locations, including Iao Hon Garden, Rotunda Carlos da Maia, Rua de D. Belchior Carneiro and the area next to Flower City Garden on Rua de Coimbra, Taipa. For more information, please visit: www.icm.gov.mo/macaoparade.