City falls quiet as events canceled, sites shut
Reconstruction works on the red reading room on the corner of Rua do Campo and Avenida da Praia Grande
With the passing of the two typhoons and the street cleanup efforts winding down after an almost week-long communal operation, the city may still be weeks away from a return to normality.
Events and activities from a wide array of sectors in the city have been canceled due to operational, infrastructure and transportation issues, as well as doubts over the appropriateness of holding such activities in the aftermath of the natural disaster.
Several resort operators were scheduled to host celebrations for their resort openings, including the 10th anniversary of Sands China’s The Venetian Macao resort and the dual celebration of the first and 11th anniversaries of Wynn Macau’s two resorts in the MSAR.
Government departments also canceled events and activities this week and last, citing the need to siphon further resources to the restoration work after the natural disaster.
The damaged roof of the Macau Cultural Center
The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) has decided to extend the application period of three subsidy programs to September 18, including the “Financial Support for Local Association Activities/ Cultural Projects Program”, the “Talent Training Program in Arts Management”, and the “Community Arts Projects Support Program” for 2018.
It said in a statement that several heritage sites across the city were damaged by the extreme weather phenomenon and would be unavailable for use for some time.
The Macau Cultural Center, an entity under IC’s oversight, has canceled several activities and shows while restoration works are pending on the building’s roof, which was partially bent out of shape during Typhoon Hato.
The 29th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, slated to begin on September 2 was canceled by the Macau Government Tourism Office, which also this week asked local travel agencies to suspend their arranged tour groups of Macau. The suspension was originally due to expire today, but is now said to last until September 2.
The Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau announced that postage stamps commemorating the 2017 Legislative Assembly election have also been canceled.
The September 17 election is scheduled to proceed as normal. There have been calls for a postponement of the legislative election (see below), but the government has not signaled that it has any intention to back the calls. DB
IC says 22 damaged sites are ‘in good condition’
The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) has announced that several heritage sites in the city require restoration work, including parts of the boundary walls of the Guia Fortress, the typhoon signal pole that was toppled by the extreme weather, and the ceiling of the portico of the Dom Pedro V Theater that collapsed. The IC reported that the 22 buildings in the Historic Center of Macau are “in good condition, though some were damaged” by the extreme weather. In a statement issued yesterday, the bureau announced it had contacted the owners and administrators of 44 temples and 17 churches in order to discuss follow-up works, “in order to ensure the comprehensive safety of heritage buildings.” The IC is appealing to the owners of heritage buildings who need assistance and encouraging them to contact the bureau when possible.
