The exhibition “The Mastery of Shipbuilding – Fishing Junk Models by Wan Chun”, organised by the Historical Archives of Macao under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, was inaugurated on the premises on 29 December (Tuesday) at 6:00pm. Several fishing junk models crafted by experienced Macao shipbuilder Wan Chun were exhibited, illustrating the aesthetics of his craftsmanship and embodying the techniques and spirit of shipbuilding.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Representative of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao S.A.R. Government and President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng; the Vice President of the Legislative Assembly of Macao S.A.R., Lam Heong Sang; the Director of the Department of Education and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao S.A.R., Xu Ting; the President of Macao Association of Shipyard Workers, Tam Kam Kong and the Experienced Macao Shipbuilder, Wan Chun.

Shipbuilding is a traditional industry of Macao, established over one and a half centuries ago. Many shipyards were scattered throughout the city. At the end of the last century, due to the high technical level of the local shipbuilders, Macao became a sizeable shipbuilding centre of wooden fishing junks in South China. Following the recent decline of this industry, experienced Macao shipbuilder Wan Chun crafted several miniatures of fishing junks based on his shipbuilding techniques experience and skills from memory, producing a series of lively miniature fishing junk replicas, allowing the public to get to know this almost extinct art.

The exhibition “The Mastery of Shipbuilding – Fishing Junk Models by Wan Chun” was opened to the public at the gallery of the Historical Archives of Macao from 30 December 2015 to 9 April 2016, from 10:00am to 6:00pm except on Sundays and public holidays. Admission is free. For more information, please visit the Historical Archives of Macao website: www.archives.gov.mo or call the HAM through tel. (853) 2859 2919 for enquiries during office hours.