• SJM continues its commitment to promoting and preserving traditional Chinese culture by holding a sugar-blowing workshop and a rod puppet experience workshop at GLP Arte recently.
• The interactive sessions were led by Hong Kong sugar-blowing artist To Wun and seasoned puppeteer Tang Wen Yuan, providing participants with a deeper appreciation for the artistic and cultural significance of these cherished intangible heritage practices.

SJM Resorts, S.A. recently held a sugar-blowing workshop and a rod puppet experience workshop at GLP Arte, an integrated cultural and creative space at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau.

These interactive sessions, led by Hong Kong sugar-blowing artist To Wun and seasoned puppeteer Tang Wen Yuan, offered participants a deeper appreciation for the artistic and cultural significance of these cherished intangible heritage practices.

With a history spanning more than 600 years, the traditional art of sugar-blowing was inscribed into the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong in 2014. Affectionately known as “Sugarman,” To is dedicated to preserving and modernizing the art. He has pioneered the use of plant-based, sugar-free ingredients to align with contemporary health-conscious trends. During the workshop, To demonstrated essential techniques – including sugar boiling, kneading and blowing – to transform molten sugar into vivid artistic creations. This hands-on experience allowed participants to appreciate the delicate craftsmanship of this traditional Chinese skill.

Rod puppetry, an art form dating back to the Han Dynasty and which flourished during the Tang and Song Dynasties, transcends time as a dual-listed heritage – inscribed on the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China (2008) and the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong (2014).

The workshop immersed participants in the origins of this millennium-old craft by teaching basic manipulation techniques and engaging attendees in hands-on puppet crafting. Participants received a commemorative “Intangible Cultural Heritage Research Certificate” as they experienced the cultural delight of bringing puppets to life.

SJM said it continues to strengthen its positioning as “a base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist.”

By promoting traditional arts and fostering cross-cultural dialogue, SJM aims to enrich Macau’s cultural tourism offerings.