China Cultural Heritage Day with focus on Inner Mongolia

The “intangible heritage of Inner Mongolia” will be at the center of attention at the celebration of the 7th annual China Cultural Heritage Day on June 9. At a press conference held yesterday the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) presented a series of diverse activities to take place on this occasion including themed shows, workshops, a poster exhibition, concerts, lectures, folk arts demonstration, special docent services and free admission to various attractions and exhibition venues. 

“Macau is a small place and its citizens often don’t know anything about Inner Mongolia,” said Dr. Leung Hio Ming, the Substitute of the Vice-president of the Cultural Institute of Macau, explaining the reason for the special emphasis that is given this year to that part of China. Along with bringing more knowledge to Macau’s population about the Inner Mongolian culture, the World Heritage Sites of Macau will also be highlighted “heightening the flow of cultural exchange between the Chinese Mainland and Macau.” 

Vice-president of the Culture department of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Dr. Quiao Yuguang stated “there are always more people in Inner Mongolia who are concerned with the preservation of cultural heritage.” Thus the celebrations seek to “reflect the uniqueness of China’s intangible cultural heritage and to advocate its conservation.”

The large-scale showcase “Genesis and Spirit”, includes an exhibition of Inner Mongolian Folk Art “Memories of the Grassland”, to be held in Galaxy Macau’s East Square from June 9 - July 2. It portrays scenes of Inner Mongolia and during the exhibition period Inner Mongolian folk artists will personally demonstrate crafts and folkways including traditional costumes, wool paintings, Mongolian embroidery and the characteristic paper-cutting of Inner Mongolia. Large Mongolian yurts, called “gers” will be built in the exhibition venue, enabling visitors to have “a taste of this people’s nomadic lifestyle.” The showcase also features Inner Mongolian Folk Performances “Traditions of the Past” which unfold against the backdrop of the Ruins of St. Paul’s. The showcase introduces the diverse customs and folkways of various ethnic groups. 

The opening will take place on June 9 at the East Square of Galaxy. 

In joint celebration of the China Cultural Heritage Day and International Archives Day, the Historical Archives of Macau have organized the exhibition “Witness to Macau History-Chan Tai Pak’s Recollections of over Half a Century”, displaying the memories of Macau’s senior journalist. The Historical Archives of Macau also host the “Workshop on Record Preservation and Conservation”, held on June 9 and 10, that introduces the procedures involved in restoring documents and works on paper. The Macau Central Library will hold an exhibition of posters titled “Sentiments of Cultural Heritage” at the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library from June 9 to 30. 

Highlighting the Macau World Heritage Sites, the Mandarin’s House and Lou Kau Mansion will also host several activities, such as demonstrations of two traditional Guizhou arts, both inscribed on China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The Macau Chinese Orchestra will perform at the Macau Museum on June 10 “Stories of a Small Town”. In addition, local artists will give two workshops on paper-fan painting.

On June 9 and 10, the Macau Heritage Ambassadors Association will provide special evening tours: “Listen to Stories of the Old City – Poetic Path to World Heritage Sites.” The activity guides participants through the Historic Centre of Macau “on a route enriched by cultural and arts activities and performances of contemporary dance.”

Several of Macau’s World Heritage sites and exhibition venues will have special opening hours, free to the public, on June 9 and 10. The Guia Lighthouse and Dom Pedro V Theatre will be open from 10 am to 5 pm and the Macau Museum invites the public to visit free of charge on these days.