Agreement inked on ‘cultural cooperation’

The Ministry of Culture of China and Macau authorities signed a cooperation agreement at Mandarin’s House yesterday. The agreement intends to implement a plan for cultural exchange and cooperation between China and Macau, followed by a ceremony to gift funds to national intangible cultural heritage representatives.
The cooperation program includes an exchange of human resources and enhanced communication. Alexis Tam, together with other cultural affairs officials, granted funds to three people involved in cultural heritage. Folk musician and late Nanyin music artist, Ng Wing-mui, Taoist Ritual music artist, Ng Peng Chi, and religious figure carving artist, Tsang Tak Hang, each received MOP30,000 in recognition of their past three years of artistic endeavors. The money was given by the Ministry of Culture to support their work in preserving intangible art.
Ng Peng Chi told the media that he would use the money to promote Taoist ritual music, but he admitted that no detailed plans have been made as yet.
Tsang expects to see more people willing to learn his craft. Moreover, he told the Times that “Hong Kong and Singapore are the main customers when it comes to religious carving because there are more temples to be constructed when compared to the mainland. […] The local market is relatively smaller,” said Tsang.
Currently, Macau has eight items of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, namely Yueju Opera, Herbal Tea, Woodwork – Macau Religious Figure Carving, Cantonese Naamyam (Nanyin music), Taoist Ritual Music, Feast of the Drunken Dragon, Na Tcha Belief and Customs, and A-Ma Belief and Customs.  Staff reporter