An opening ceremony at Tap Seac Square tonight (26 September) lifted the curtains upon “Macao Light Festival 2020 – Light Carnival”, which is dazzling the cityscape until 31 October. The event is organized by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and co-organized by Municipal Affairs Bureau, Cultural Affairs Bureau, Sports Bureau and Economic Bureau with the support of the Industry and Commerce Federation of Macau Central and Southern District, the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District, as well as the Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macao. Staged for the sixth year, the Festival is lighting up Tap Seac Square for the first time with a spectacular mapping show projected upon four historic façades. Four routes are mapped out across 12 locations in town to create a sparkling carnival.
Acting Director of MGTO, Ricky Hoi, Vice President of Administration Committee on Municipal Affairs of Municipal Affairs Bureau, Lo Chi Kin, Vice President of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Cheong Lai San, Vice President of Sports Bureau, Lam Lin Kio, Head of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Department of Economic Bureau, Chan Weng Tat, Chairman of the Industry and Commerce Federation of Macau Central and Southern District, Manuel Iok Pui Ferreira, President of the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District, Wong Kin Chong, Vice President of the Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macao, Leong Chong In, and Managing Director of the Creation Advertising Co., Ltd., Tony Lam, officiated the kick-off ceremony, painting the first stroke of color in the mega mapping show themed as “Color is…” at Tap Seac Square.
In his remarks, Ricky Hoi expressed that “Despite the challenges faced by the tourism industry this year, Macao’s tourism sector is setting off anew again under close collaboration between the public and private sectors while movement across border is gradually resumed between the Mainland and Macao. ‘Macao Light Festival 2020’ is the first spectacular of more events that will ensue, in parallel with the mega promotional event ‘Beijing Macao Week’ just inaugurated in Beijing, we are ready to welcome visitors to Macao once again.”
Parishes radiant with carnival color
The 6th Macao Light Festival is staged from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. from 26 September to 31 October (the last mapping show begins at 9:50 p.m. daily). Themed as “Light Carnival”, the Festival presents light installations and interactive games at 12 locations along four designated routes themed as “Circus”, “Time Tunnel”, “Candy Kingdom” and “Music Box of Lights” in different parishes. The Festival offers many hotspots for selfies and check-ins on social media. Macao Tourism Mascot MAK MAK appears in lovely costumes across the routes, accompanying residents and visitors on the fun “Light Carnival” journey.
Mapping shows tell enchanting stories at five locations
The Macao Light Festival is staging different mapping shows at five iconic attractions including Tap Seac Square, China Products Company at Largo do Pagode do Bazar and Wong Ieng Kuan Children’s Library in Areia Preta Urban Park as new venues, as well as Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome and the restaurant Cozinha Pinocchio Taipa at Largo dos Bombeiros in Taipa Village as last year. At Tap Seac Square, the mega mapping show is projected upon the facades of four historic architectures including the buildings of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Tap Seac Health Centre, Macao Central Library and the Archives of Macao. Painting strokes of light upon the magnificent canvas, the show conveys various expressions of color in different styles of artworks.
Themed as “Inheritance”, the mapping show at China Products Company portrays Macao’s local culture in the old times with a vivid picture of the city’s long history and age-old values passed on from generation to generation. Themed as “Circus Show”, the mapping show at Wong Ieng Kuan Children’s Library in Areia Preta Urban Park is a virtual confluence of acrobatics, magic and stunt performance, set to immerse audiences in a dreamlike carnival of vitality and joy. Themed as “Touring North District”, the mapping show at Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome leads audiences to visit hidden gems in the Northern District, unveiling enchanting stories and social landscape of the community. Staged at Largo dos Bombeiros in Taipa Village, the mapping show transforms the building of Cozinha Pinocchio Taipa into a “Musical Piano”. Several famous pieces of classical music are represented in visual forms, offering spectators a fresh experience of classical music and the possibilities beyond.
Light events in communities
An array of light events is held in local communities in tandem with the Macao Light Festival this year. The Industry and Commerce Federation of Macau Central and Southern District, the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District, as well as the Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macao concurrently stage “Macao Light Festival 2020 — Light and Color at Cathedral Parish”, “Macao Light Festival 2020 — Fun Journey of Light at Our Lady of Fatima Parish” and “Macao Light Festival 2020 — ‘Light extravaganza on Coloane’ at Parish of St. Francis Xavier” respectively. The events encompass light installations, workshops, interactive games and performances, along with time-limited offers and giveaways from the Festival.
For details about the splendid program, please visit MGTO’s website for “Macao Light Festival 2020 – Light Carnival” (mlf.macaotourism.gov.mo) and MGTO’s WeChat ID (“mgtoweixin”).
MGTO will pay close attention to the latest situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, while making timely and proper arrangements for all the shows and activities in accord with the guidelines issued by Health Bureau. In case of adverse weather conditions, appropriate adjustments will be made to the event program.
