Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam Chon Weng said Thursday the aim of the citywide “Art Macao” festival was to enrich the residents’ spiritual life and to enhance visitors’ cultural experience.
Tam made the remarks in a speech during the opening ceremony of “Art Macao” at the Macau Cultural Centre outdoor foyer, which hundreds of people attended, including Foreign Ministry Commissioner Shen Beili, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macau Deputy Director Xue Xiaofeng, diplomats from the consulates of Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Japan and Portugal, senior local government officials and representatives from Macau’s six gaming operators, as well as artists and representatives from entities taking part in the five-month-long art-fest.
The special administrative region’s six gaming operators are sponsors and participants in the event.
“Art evokes empathy while culture links people,” Tam said, pointing out that based on the city’s East-meets-West heritage, he hoped to elevate Macau’s “aesthetic taste” and shape the “cultural spirit” of its residents.
“With the economy of Macau developing well, we are in need for a more spiritually enriched and culturally exquisite Macau. ‘Art Macao’ will take on this important role, allowing artistic creativity to spread and cultural innovation to bloom here in the city,” Tam said.
The “Art Macao” programme consists of 41 large-scale events taking place at 49 locations around the city until the end of October.(Macaunews)
