• GEG spearheaded three major events at the sixth “Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries”.
• The participation underscores GEG’s commitment to fostering cultural exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

The sixth edition of the “Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries” is being held from October to December this year. The festival includes 70 sessions spanning seven themed series. GEG has played a pivotal role by organizing and co-hosting three major events.

The “2024 GEG Lusofonia Festival”, jointly organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and GEG, expanded this year to run over two consecutive weekends at the end of October and the beginning of November at the Taipa Houses. This festival spotlighted the cultures of Goa, Daman and Diu with an array of distinctive cuisine and mural arts. It featured performances by artists from various Portuguese-speaking countries and local Lusophone communities, enriching Macau’s unique Sino-Portuguese heritage with a vibrant mix of stalls, performances and culinary delights.

Kevin Kelley, Chief Operating Officer – Macau of GEG, extended his heartfelt thanks to the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the SAR Government for their steadfast support and trust. Following GEG’s significant involvement as a primary supporter of last year’s Lusofonia Festival, he said the company has elevated its role to become one of this year’s key organizers. This progression underscores GEG’s commitment to fostering cultural exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and strengthens Macau’s strategic position as a cultural hub.

Concurrently, the “GEG Traditional Music and Dance Performance in the Community”, also a collaborative effort with the Cultural Affairs Bureau, brought to life the festive traditions of the Portuguese-speaking world. The Guangdong Zhongshan Torch Singing and Dance Troupe from Mainland China, along with eight groups from Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, East Timor, and Goa, Daman and Diu, performed across various locales in Macau. These included the Iao Hon Market Park, Galaxy Macau’s Diamond and Crystal lobbies, the Ruins of St. Paul’s and the Carmo Fair in Taipa, delivering 14 energetic performances that showcased the rich cultural tapestry of China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

Additionally, the “China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Film Festival”, organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and co-hosted by GEG, is scheduled from late November to early December. Under the theme “Creating an Interesting Contrast”, the festival will screen nearly 30 films from China (Macau included) and Portuguese-speaking regions, accompanied by outdoor screenings, post-screening discussions and workshops. The “Outdoor Screening – New Visual Forces in Macau” event, set for 7 December at the Lai Chi Vun Shipyards jointly revitalized by the Macao SAR Government and GEG, will highlight four short films from this year’s “Local View Power” initiative.

The film festival will also feature a range of outreach activities, including the Kidz Fun: Parent-child Experience Session at Galaxy Cinemas. Children and their parents can immerse themselves in various cinema operations – from ticketing to snack concessions and film screenings – providing a hands-on learning experience about cinema operations and film appreciation from multiple angles.