Free workshops, tours for Cultural Heritage Day

In observance of China Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) will offer a series of free workshops, guided tours, and exhibitions at several of Macau’s World Heritage sites and cultural facilities this June.

The Guia Lighthouse and the “Visiting the Ruins of St. Paul’s in Space and Time – Exhibition of Virtual Reality at the Ruins of St. Paul’s” will open to the public free of charge, according to an announcement by the bureau.

Beginning June 13, a range of cultural and artistic workshops will be held at various heritage sites. These include the “3D Dragon Boat Painting Workshop” for families at the House of Macao Literature, the “Wormwood Herbal Hammer Workshop” at the Mandarin’s House, and the “Chinese Bonsai Workshop” and the “Fortune and Glory Gold Leaf Art Workshop” at Lou Kau Mansion. 

Additional offerings include a “Scenery Soap-Making Workshop” at Guia Fortress and “Macao, Through the Eyes of Chinnery” at St. Augustine’s Square.

Several thematic exhibitions will also run concurrently at local museums and archives. Notable displays include “View into the Great Han – The Exhibition of Exquisite Cultural Relics from Han Dynasty in Xuzhou” on the third floor of the Macao Museum; “Duet of Nature: Ming and Qing Landscape Paintings from the National Museum of China” at the Macao Museum of Art; and “City in Rephotography — Exhibition of Historical Photographs from the Archives of Macao” at the Archives of Macao.

Free virtual reality sessions at the Ruins of St. Paul’s exhibition will run from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout June. On June 13 and 14, the Guia Lighthouse will welcome visitors from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with complimentary admission and guided tours. Guided tours will also be offered at the Senado Library and the Chinese Ancient Books Chamber of the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library on the same dates, as well as at various World Heritage sites on designated weekend schedules.

Pre-registration is required for select activities. Interested individuals may sign up starting today via the “Activity Applications” section of the Macao One Account at activity.mo.gov.mo/activity-h5/activity-list-web. Admission is free. If registrations exceed capacity, participants will be selected by drawing lots.

China Cultural and Natural Heritage Day traces its origins to Cultural Heritage Day, which has been observed annually on the second Saturday of June since 2006, as directed by the State Council.

The name was changed in 2017 to include natural heritage and to raise public awareness of the protection of both cultural and natural assets.