The 32nd Macao International Fireworks Display Contest held this year lit up the skies for two weeks and served a testament to the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR)'s role as a hub for diverse global cultures.
Organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office, the contest commenced on September 14 and lasted until October 6, pitting firework shows from ten countries against each other to compete for best show.
Competing shows combined the fireworks with music that blended both Chinese and international elements.
"Our music features not only traditional Chinese instruments, such as the morin khuur (a traditional Mongolian bowed stringed instrument also known as the horse-head fiddle) evoking horse racing, but also a variety of other styles. It blends elements from both Chinese and Western traditions, much like Macao itself," said Zhong Liang, Deputy General Manager of Dongxin Fireworks Group in the Chinese mainland.
"I tried everything in the this show, one concept is very important. I am very happy to participate in this festival because this festival is [one of the most impressive] in the world," said Antonio Lieto, Executive President and Fireworks Designer of Italy's Fireworks Lieto S.R.L.
"This show was designed just for this, just for Macao. It's called Astrum. It's inspired by the Solar system, so we want to make something really unique and really special that can touch the heart of the of all the people watching," said Jose Ribeiro, Executive President of Portugal's firework manufacturer Pirotecnia Oleirense.
In the end, the Chinese show took the grand prize, with Russian firework company Pyro-Klass taking runner up and Marutamaya Ogatsu Fireworks from Japan landing third place.
The tourism office has been organizing the event since 1989.
The fireworks contest was covered in the fourth episode of the China Media Group (CMG) documentary series titled "25 Years of Lotus Bond."
The series premiered on CCTV-1 at 20:00 Dec 13 and will run until Dec 17, with subsequent broadcasts on CCTV-4 and CCTV-13.
The series highlights the successful practices of "one country, two systems" in Macao under the strategic guidance of the central government.
The Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao and established the Macao SAR on December 20, 1999.
Int'l fireworks contest articulates cultural diversity in Macao SAR
A drama club in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) has been fostering cultural ties between China and Portugal through captivating performances in a unique and centuries-old creole language, according to a five-episode documentary launched by China Media Group (CMG).
Miguel Senna Fernandes, is a practicing lawyer in Macao and a former law student who studied in Portugal and lived in the country for eight years.
In 1993, Fernandes founded a drama club, Doci Papiacam di Macau, together with his friends, composed of members with a common identity - they are Macanese, descendants of Portuguese settlers in Macao.
The Macanese community, rooted in Macao's multicultural history, has its creole language, Patua, a blend of Portuguese with elements of Cantonese, Malay and other languages.
Fernandes comes from one of Macao's oldest Macanese families, whose lineage in the region dates back more than 270 years.
"Patua is a very old language which dates back to the 16th to 17th century. It was born out of Portuguese and enriched by many other linguistic elements," said Fernandes .
Fernandes' drama club stages a new play every year, keeping the language alive and relevant through art.
After rehearsals, they will enjoy Macanese cuisine, a hallmark of their culture, which blends ingredients like Portuguese olives and onions, Indian turmeric and curry and southern Chinese cinnamon and coconut milk into a distinct and borderless gastronomy.
The club has performed in the Portuguese capital Lisbon recently, bridging cultural connections between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
"I love the music. It's very very nice, many things about Macao. I think it's a very lovely city," said an audience member.
"I wish to go to Macao. Macao is a city center, but it's a world center in terms of of culture, finance and as well leisure. It is one of the best cities to visit in China," said another.
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, CMG is airing the documentary series titled "25 Years of Lotus Bond" on CCTV-1 at 20:00 every night from Dec 13 to 17, with subsequent broadcasts on CCTV-4 and CCTV-13.
The documentary comprises five thematic episodes: Love for the Home and the Nation, A Path of Diversity, The Flavor of Happiness, A City of Integration, and Gateway to the Future. It showcases the successful practices of "one country, two systems" in Macao under the strategic guidance of the central government.
On December 20, 1999, the Chinese government resumed its exercise of sovereignty over Macao and established the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Macao drama club bridges China-Portugal exchanges with unique creole performances
