Celebration brings support for local SMEs through Macau-Myanmar water festival

[Photo: Ricaela Diputado]

This year’s Association of Macau Myanmar Overseas Chinese Water Festival provided support for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the “Three Lamps” district, as the 28th edition started on April 18 and will conclude on Apr. 21, with over 1000 participants daily as of yesterday for the four-day event.

The festival is organized by the General Association of Macau Myanmar Overseas Chinese (MMOCA), alongside the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO).

Speaking to the Times on the sidelines yesterday, Jacky Cheong, the vice-chairman of MMOCA, said, “We want to bring some business to the shops around here. Since there are many Myanmar relatives and workers living on this side of Macau, this location is more convenient for them, as you can see the large crowd of people here.”

The vice-chairman said the organization’s initiative is to invite people from overseas. “We want to reach out to overseas visitors – including those from Hong Kong, as well as consul generals from various Southeast Asian countries. Through this, we aim to demonstrate our ability to organize a high-quality event that will leave a very positive impact on Macau.”

Cheong recalled that last year’s water festival attracted fewer people due to poor weather conditions at the time. “I believe the turnout this year is greater than last year’s, because last year there was a heavy rainstorm. But even so, it’s still very lively here – you can see a lot of passion. Even last night, people were singing all along here.”

He continued, stating that MMOCA will continue to draw in investors, as they will go to Hengqin for a business fair and are expecting about 400 people. “Our intention is to bring together people from Myanmar – from different countries like New York, Hong Kong and everywhere – to organize a business fair to facilitate exchange and interaction. And we’ll try to attract them by exploring whether they have any interest in investing in Macau as well.”

According to the organizer, the event yesterday featured a dance crew from Myanmar, a well-known Myanmar singer, and local Myanmar Chinese dancers. While the exact number of performers remains unclear, there are believed to be more than four or five acts. The previous night’s performances, which ran from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., included over 10 singers, among them local Myanmar artists and singers from Hong Kong.

Attendees from far and wide

A tourist, Pasquale Allegretti from Italy, told The Times that he was visiting his girlfriend, who is a local, and was interested in enjoying Myanmar Chinese culture. “It’s my first time attending this event, and my girlfriend and I actually attended the first night as well.”

Another participant, Naw Saung Aye Mya, and her friends from Myanmar, who have been staying in Macau for 15 years, have never missed attending the water festival. “We very much appreciate that we can have this event in Macau. Every year we try to celebrate, but we also celebrate back home in the Himalayas, which normally takes place in April.”

When asked how she normally celebrates the occasion, she said, “We meet up with friends, splash water around and get together to make the same food — Myanmar traditional food. We celebrate together outdoors because it’s always very hot during the time of the festival.”

[Photo: Ricaela Diputado]

Myanmar dance

With the main events of the festival being traditional Myanmar dancing, a professional choreographer was invited by MGTO to teach the dance, also known as Burmese Classical Dance.

Speaking to the Times on the sidelines, Twal Tar Myat Noe, founder of Twal Tar – Myanmar Dance and Performance in China, said this is her first visit to Macau and she brought nearly 20 years of dance experience for the special occasion. “I started dancing when I was a child and have been teaching dance for nearly 10 years.”

She added, “My dance troupe has about 40 or 50 members, and I have many students as well. Given the opportunity, I would love to come back. I really enjoy Macau’s culture.”

Meanwhile, during his speech at the festival, Hong Kam Lok, chairman of MMOCA, said he hopes the festival drives engagement for Macau’s economy. “We look forward to using this festival to contribute to Macau’s tourism and economic development, attracting visitors from all directions.”

He added, “May we join hands as we step into the new year, contributing to building a better community and a prosperous Macau.”