• The Macau Special Olympics teamed up with MGM to organize the “Lion Dance for Good Day” event during CNY.
• The initiative honored Lingnan culture while championing inclusion between people with and without disabilities.

During the 2025 Chinese New Year, MGM teamed up with the Macau Special Olympics (MSO) to organize the “Lion Dance for Good Day” event. Featuring traditional lion dance performances, the initiative shared New Year blessings, honored Lingnan culture and championed inclusion between people with and without disabilities while promoting social care.

The “MSO x MGM Lion Dance Team”, jointly established by the MSO and MGM, visited multiple schools and elderly service centers during the festivities. Their captivating performances reached over 2,500 students and teachers and 300 seniors, infusing the celebrations with a lively spirit.

Established in 2017 as Macau’s first lion dance troupe composed of individuals with intellectual disabilities and special educational needs, the “MSO x MGM Lion Dance Team” has thrived with MGM’s backing. Through inclusive lion dance performances, the team showcases its members’ talents, preserves the traditional Lingnan lion dance art and exemplifies the spirit of inclusion and social care across all walks of society.

This series of “Lion Dance for Good Day” series emphasized themes of resilience, unity, harmony, care and New Year joy, spreading positivity throughout the community. Accompanied by MGM’s mascot ambassadors, Leo and Leona, the team visited institutions like Escola de Santa Teresa do Menino Jesus, Caritas Macau’s Elderly Service Centre, Escola Santa Maria Mazzarello, Escola de Santa Madalena and the Women’s General Association of Macau’s Elderly Service Centre. They delivered festive cheer to students and seniors while showcasing Lingnan culture’s distinct charm.

At schools they visited, the team patiently explained the history of lion dancing, the use of props and instruments, and demonstrated basic steps. They even guided some students to try manipulating the lion head, allowing them to experience the essence of traditional culture firsthand.

During the “Chinese Culture Day” event of Santa Teresa School, the team took the stage as the finale act, earning enthusiastic applause from the entire audience. Their skillful display underscored their dedication and talent, advancing both traditional culture and social inclusion.

Kenneth Feng, President and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, said, “Rooted in the lion symbol, MGM is committed to preserving and promoting the traditional Lingnan lion dance art, revitalizing this treasure of Chinese culture through diverse efforts. The ‘MSO x MGM Lion Dance Team’ uses inclusive performances to enable individuals with disabilities to showcase their abilities and bring joy to the public, while actively promoting the spirit of inclusion and social care across society.

“MGM will keep partnering with the Macau Special Olympics to offer the team more training and performance opportunities, helping them gain confidence and contribute to the community.”

Hetzer Siu, Macau Special Olympics Executive Director, remarked, “The ‘MSO x MGM Lion Dance Team’ is dedicated to channeling the members’ passion for Lingnan lion dance culture. Through various types of performances, such as the drunken lion dance and high-pole lion dance, they demonstrate the fruits of their efforts and display their talents and capabilities.

“Thanks to the steadfast support of our long-term partner MGM, the team members have received guidance from professional instructors. Years of practice and accumulated performance experience, coupled with the audience’s enthusiastic feedback, have enabled them to perform lion dance artistry with finesse and bring various routines to life vividly.

“At times they radiate a dazzling brilliance, inspiring others with their lives and showcasing the potential of individuals with intellectual disabilities. By sharing love, they give back to society and advocate for the vital message of equality and inclusion.”

In 2024, the team was invited to participate in events such as the “Student and Youth Show in Celebration of Macao’s Return to the Motherland cum International Youth Dance Festival”, organized by the Education and Youth Development Bureau, as well as the “Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR – International Day of Persons with Disabilities Activity – Inclusive Cultural and Artistic Performances” hosted by the Social Welfare Bureau.

They also traveled to the Greater Bay Area, taking part in an arts performance organized by the Guangdong Disabled Persons’ Federation and engaging in cultural exchanges across different cities in the region. These efforts further elevated the team’s visibility and highlighted the talents of individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.

The “Lion Dance for Good Day” series celebrates and preserves tradition while serving as a platform for social inclusion. Each performance builds team members’ confidence, spreading unity and care.

Moving forward, the Macau Special Olympics and MGM plan to deepen their partnership to create more opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, harmonizing traditional culture with the ethos of inclusion.