Budget for Mid-Autumn decorative lights increases 7.5%

This year’s budget for Mid- Autumn decorative lights has increased by 7.5%, with a total of MOP6.34 million prepared, according to the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM).

The IAM has provided information on the two recently added animal zones in two gardens, Mid-Autumn Festival lighting arrangements and civic education plans.

The “Cute Animals” zone has been added to Flores Garden and the reptile area has been renewed at Seac Pai Van Park, IAM disclosed last Friday.

The “Cute Animals” zone includes two feeding areas, one for rabbits and hedgehogs, and one for turtles. This zone, which was established earlier this year, went through a test period, during which the garden’s neighboring schools were invited for a visit to test operations.

The area has been open for group appointments since July 22 and individuals have been allowed to visit the animals every Sunday since August 18.

The reptile zone in the land and nature museum at the Seac Pai Van Park features 10 exhibition boxes, showcasing reptiles such as snakes and turtles. The zone also includes smuggled animals that have been seized by the Macau SAR government.

In future, IAM plans to expand the reptile zone, hoping to provide better living conditions for the animals and enrich the education materials for the public.

The reptile area is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

To welcome this year’s Mid-Autumn festival, IAM is planning to set up decorative lights around the city. This year’s decorative lights will also have features celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Macau handover.

The decorations are expected to be live from the first half of September to the first half of October. They will be set up at 66 locations, 43 of which are in Macau and 23 in Cotai. The locations will be the sites of main tourist attractions, as well as some of the city’s roundabouts, recreational areas and public gardens.

At Senado Square, a big rabbit light decoration will be installed, accompanied by a Chinese-style tunnel decorated with light. In addition, on the nights of September 13 and 14, a gala will be organized at Lou Lim Ioc Garden.

Aside from the abovementioned garden updates and decorative lights, IAM also called on schools to participate in IAM’s civic education activities for the 2019/2020 school year.

As usual, this year’s civic education will feature the Basic Law and Chinese Constitution law, and Chinese traditions, aiming to deepen the “core value of loving the country and loving Macau.”