An opening ceremony for a cultural exchange and experiential activity between Macao and Shandong province was held today (18 October) in the University of Macau (UM). Inheritors of eight cultural elements from Shandong province, which have been listed as part of the province’s intangible cultural heritage, came all the way to Macao to demonstrate the beauty of folk art and culture of Shandong province.

The event was co-organised by the Shandong Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office in Shandong province, as well as the local committees of the CPPCC in Jining city, Weihai city, Dezhou city, and Heze city. It was hosted by UM and the Macao Shandong Chamber of Commerce.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Wang Yihua, vice chairman and secretary general of the Shandong Committee of the CPPCC; Ip Peng Kin, chief of office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture; Yonghua Song, rector of UM; Shao Bin, a representative of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Ma Chi Ngai, president of the Administrative Committee of the Science and Technology Development Fund of Macao and a member of the Shandong Committee of the CPPCC; Yu Yi, director of the Committee of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan and Foreign Affairs of the Shandong Committee of the CPPCC; Zhang Jimin, chairman of the Jining Committee of the CPPCC; Gao Xuguang , chairman of the Weihai Committee of the CPPCC; Yin Yuming, chairman of the Heze Committee of the CPPCC; Che Seak Man, member of the Standing Committee of the 11th Shandong Committee of the CPPCC and chairman of the Macao Shandong Friendship Association; Wong Suk Tze, a member of the Standing Committee of the Shandong Committee of the CPPCC; Lionel Ni, vice rector (academic affairs) of UM; Wei Chengbo, president of the Macao Shandong Chamber of Commerce; Hong Gang Jin, dean of UM’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities and director of the Confucius Institute; and Zhang Zhimin, former director of the Science, Education, Culture, Health and Sport Committee of the Shandong Committee of the CPPCC and former president of the Shandong University of Arts.

In his speech, Rector Yonghua Song said that Shandong is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese culture and the cradle of Confucianism. Rich in intangible cultural heritage, the province has had a profound influence on Chinese culture. Song said this event provided a rare opportunity for Macao residents to experience the beauty of folk art and culture of Shandong province through the demonstration by the inheritors of eight cultural elements from Shandong, which have been listed as part of the province’s intangible cultural heritage. Song also praised Shandong for its efforts to preserve its cultural heritage, saying that Macao should learn from Shandong’s experience. He expressed his hope to see more cultural exchange and collaboration between Shangdong and Macao in the future.

Wang Yihua, vice chairman and secretary general of the Shandong Committee of the CPPCC, said that Shandong is a Chinese province rich in intangible cultural heritage, with eight cultural elements, including paper-cutting, Guqin art, and shadow puppetry, being included on the UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, over 170 cultural elements being included on the national representative list of cultural heritage, and over 750 cultural elements being included on the provincial list. At the event, eight cultural elements were demonstrated, namely paper-cutting, Ju (mending broken ceramics), Kai wood carving, Luban Lock, dough figurine, grain painting, colour-printed appliques, and black pottery and micro carving. 

For full version, please refer to the Chinese version. 

Source: Rector’s Office  

Media Contact Information:Communications Office, University of Macau

Albee Lei  Tel：(853) 88228004Kelvin U  Tel：(853) 88224322Email：prs.media@um.edu.moUM Website：www.umac.mo