Organized by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and co-organized by Municipal Affairs Bureau, Cultural Affairs Bureau and Sports Bureau, “Macao Light Festival 2019 – Explore the Light” is lighting up Macao from 1^st to 31^st December. An opening ceremony unveiled the event at Anim’Arte Nam Van tonight (1^st December). Held for the fifth year, the Macao Light Festival illuminates the city’s northern district for the first time, and brings together four teams from Spain, Portugal, Japan and Shenzhen as well as two local teams to present an array of projection mapping shows, in joyful celebration of the 20^th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, President of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Mok Ian Ian, member of the Administration Committee on Municipal Affairs of Municipal Affairs Bureau, Ma Kam Keong, Head of Sports Facilities Management Department of Sports Bureau, Ho Wa, and Chairman of Macau China International Convention and Exhibition Group, Alex Lao, officiated the kick-off ceremony. On-site illuminations immediately lit up in harmony with the piano and dance performances, enticing many local and visiting spectators into the bustling scene.

In her speech, Senna Fernandes expressed, “Since its inception in 2015, the Macao Light Festival has dazzled the city in different designs, narrating Macao’s stories through mesmerizing encounters between light artistry and audiences. The event highlights the beauty of World Heritage architectures and the special characteristics of different communities, enlivening the older districts and historic monuments with a new dynamic. For the past five years, we have strived to enhance and innovate on the event programme, merging the art of light with technology, unique architecture, history, culture and creativity as well as elements of Macao as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. We tap into the possibilities brought by cross-field innovations and enrich the Macao Light Festival with fresh ideas each year, winning the hearts of both residents and visitors.”

MAK MAK takes you to explore the light

“Macao Light Festival 2019 – Explore the Light” is staged from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. from 1^st to 31^st December, presenting an extravaganza of projection mapping shows, light installations, interactive games and more, covering 15 locations across four districts including the newly-featured northern district. Macao Tourism Mascot “MAK MAK” joins residents and visitors to explore Macao’s evolving cityscape over the last two decades through different angles in the art of light along four glittery routes, sharing the joy brought by celebrations of the 20^th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR. The last projection mapping show begins at 9:50 p.m. daily. On 31^st December 2019, the light installations at Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre, Anim’Arte Nam Van and the white canopy at Nam Van will be illuminated until 0:10 midnight on 1^st January 2020.

Mapping Shows in celebration of the 20^th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR

Two local teams and the teams from Spain, Portugal, Japan and Shenzhen from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will present a range of projection mapping shows themed after the celebrations of the 20^th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR in different time periods at two attractions in the World Heritage Site – “The Historic Centre of Macao”, namely the Ruins of St. Paul’s and St. Joseph’s Seminary Church, the latter as a new venue for mapping shows.

The first team coming on stage tonight is the Portuguese team who stages the projection mapping show “Macao’s Light Journey” at St. Joseph’s Seminary Church from 1^st to 10^th December, leading spectators to revisit Macao’s historic moments. With the art of projection mapping, the vibrant, colorful and festive show manifests the East-meets-West culture, World Heritage, gastronomy and diversity of events and festivals in Macao.

The Spanish team will present the mapping show “Bloom” from 2^nd to 10^th December, highlighting the quaint beauty of the Ruins of St. Paul’s and Macao’s unique cultural legacy. Portraying the incessant growth of different elements in the nature, the show celebrates birth and prosperity. Its background music is a blend of modern tunes and traditional instrumental music from China and Portugal, emitting festive and colorful vibes. 

Other mapping shows will successively come into the spotlight as follows: “The Adventures of Snow” (at the Ruins of St. Paul’s, 11^th – 19^th December) by the Shenzhen team, “Prism” (at St. Joseph’s Seminary Church, 11^th – 19^th December) by the Japanese team, as well as “The Time of Joy” (at the Ruins of St. Paul’s, 20^th – 23^rd and 25^th – 31^st December) and “Let’s ‘20’ Together!” (at St. Joseph’s Seminary Church, 20^th – 31^st December) created by two local teams respectively.

Two other locally-produced mapping shows titled “Memory of Macau Canidrome” and “Carnival” are staged at Macau (Yat Yuen) Canidrome and Largo dos Bombeiros respectively throughout the entire period of the Festival.

Redeem gifts via sharing on Light Festival mobile app or social platforms

The mobile app for Macao Light Festival 2019 (with content available in Traditional/Simplified Chinese and English) offers event information, route navigation as well as features for commenting and gift redemption. The mobile app can be downloaded for free on App Store or Google Play. The public can complete different activities for gift redemption via the mobile app or social media platforms according to instructions. Gifts of Macao Light Festival 2019 can then be redeemed at various information stations for the event.

For more information about the spectacular event, please visit MGTO’s website (www.macaotourism.gov.mo), MGTO’s WeChat ID (“mgtoweixin”) and themed pages on Facebook (2019 Macao Light Festival) and Instagram (macaolightfestival2019). The public is also welcome to download the mobile app for Macao Light Festival 2019.

MGTO will continue to take into consideration opinions from different sectors and evaluate the effects of the event, dedicated to forging the Macao Light Festival into Macao’s annual signature event and internationally prestigious brand of its kind, to realize the key objective to “diversify tourism products and experiences” specified in the Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan, supporting the city’s development into a world centre of tourism and leisure in line with the Five-Year Development Plan of the Macao SAR.