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Featuring nearly 90 performances, by 29 acts from 7 different countries including Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Israel, Argentina and Mainland China, the coming Macao Arts Festival season is wonderfully diverse. In a clear show of support for local talent, more than half of the events programmed this year count on the participation of local artists. The Festival provides the platform for home-grown talent to present outstanding works from the region's own performing arts scene, while on the international front, reaffirming itself as a window to the latest creative trends emerging on stages the world over. Embodying the motto “Enjoy Life through Art”, the Festival programme brings together theatre, traditional and modern dance, Chinese and Western music and multimedia and visual arts in a selection that extends as well to Cantonese opera, an art form officially inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009 through the joint efforts of the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Governments. The 22nd Macao Arts Festival opens with Marco Polo: The Imaginary Voyage (29/4, Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium – MCCGA), a multidisciplinary show from Pietragalla Compagnie combining both real and virtual elements and mixing contemporary and classical music, hip hop, martial arts, song and animated images. The performance brings the audience on the futuristic adventures of famed explorer Marco Polo, who, guided by his muse, returns to the distant countries he visited in the past and rediscovers them anew. This year, the MAF features a number of performances perfect for the whole family. The first among them, presented by Macao's Little Mountain Arts Association, is Ten Brothers (30/4, 1/5, Dom Pedro V Theatre), a mythical fairy tale that has been enjoyed by both adults and children since ancient times. Its central characters are deeply rooted in the hearts of the Chinese people. Another treat for the younger ones is Kallima, the Gluttonous Caterpillar from the local group Black Sand Theatre (1, 2/5, Lou Kau Mansion). A fascinating lesson in natural science incorporating music, puppetry and human performance, this show enables children to observe and learn from the mysteries and greatness of nature. On 5 May the Guangdong Province Puppet Art Theatre Group presents Eighth Floor and a Half (MCCGA). Dubbed “the Chinese version of The Lion King”, this show has garnered enormous public praise and has won numerous prizes, among them the special “Wen Hua” Award. Eighth Floor and a Half is a green fairy tale, a story about the Earth and a hymn to life. From the Portuguese group Passos e Compassos, Ti-tó-tis – Dance and Music for Babies (14, 15, 20~22/5, Dom Pedro V Theatre Lobby) is a performance aimed at toddlers and infants combining dance and music in a comprehensive context where lighting, sound, sets and images intertwine. Yet another family programme is The Lotus Lamp (21/5, Alegria Cinema), from the Macao Kaifong Children's Opera Troupe. This popular romantic story – about love and family affection between a mortal and an immortal – features an intense and intricate plot designed to transport the audience into a world of magical appeal and deep emotions. The MAF continues its celebration of the 2009 inscription of Yueju Opera on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity with a large-scale, innovative production of De Ling and the Empress Dowager Ci Xi by Art of Cantonese Opera, a company from the Hong Kong SAR (24/5, MCCGA). The current version of this masterpiece, meticulously adapted by renowned Hong Kong director Law Kar-Ying, was first presented to the public in 2010. Starring Liza Wang and many other luminaries of the Cantonese Opera circle, this production is eagerly awaited! From the local front, the Macao General Association of Cantonese Opera and Music presents Cantonese Opera in Concert – I, II (30/4, 1/5, Alegria Cinema), featuring selections from the classic repertoire performed by an all-star cast on two consecutive evenings. Join in the celebration of this timeless art form! Music makes a substantial contribution to the programme, beginning on 7 May with a concert by The Macao Conservatory School of Music (MCCGA). Conducted by Francis Kan, Assistant Conductor of the Macao Orchestra, Melodies of Youth 2011 features performances by local rising star of the classical guitar Chan Kai Ieng and teachers and students from the Macao Conservatory. The Macao Chinese Orchestra, in collaboration with the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra and special guest Wu Bixia, presents a 20th-century musical setting of the Chinese literary classic Dream of the Red Chamber by famous composer Wang Liping (8/5, MCCGA). Showcasing the very latest in trends in classical music, the Macao Orchestra spotlights the talent of China's most outstanding contemporary composers with a programme of rare and highly complex symphonic pieces. Meet the Composers – Premieres of Newly Commissioned Works (14/5, Macao Tower Auditorium) features new music from Ye Xiaogang, Bright Sheng and two internationally celebrated composers from Macao: Lam Bun-Ching and Doming Lam. With their creative exploration into the sonic potential of everyday objects, the French group Zic Zazou crafts superb musical poems to enchant every listener in La Brocante Sonore (10, 11/5, MCCGA), revealing an eccentric world of surprising sounds. The Macanese Patois theatre group Dóci Papiaçám di Macau delivers yet another instalment in their now legendary series of satires on local society with the premiere of Qui Pandalhada! (What Pandamonium) (20, 21/5, MCCGA). This time, the topic is the panda – the new commercial symbol of Macao! Another local theatre company, Step Out, led by experienced director Mok Sio Chong, embarks upon a journey of memories in the context of multimedia environmental theatre. In The House of the Vagrants (7~10/5, Mandarin's House) they trace the mixed fortunes of the Mandarin's House over the past half-century through an oral account of historical facts, establishing a lasting testimonial. Macao's very own professional theatre company, the Hiu Kok Drama Association, stages Twelfth Night in Macao (21/5, Dom Pedro V Theatre), directed by Cheang Kai Sang. Adapting Shakespeare's enduring comedy Twelfth Night, Cheang recreates the aura of this immensely powerful English play, allowing the enduring love story to be transformed into a humorous yet intriguing fantasia on Macao City. In another adaptation of a literary classic, the local flagship company Theatre Farmers presents Flowers for Algernon (26/5, Dom Pedro V Theatre), based on the award-winning novel by American author Daniel Keyes. Directed by Wong Shu Fai, the play is performed by a stellar cast of actors, who bring to life this touching story of love and tears through their subtle and intense delivery. Musical Theatre, a genre that has become fashionable recently in Macao, is also featured this year in the MAF. The Macao Portuguese Folk Dance Association “Macao's Heart” has fused elements of Portuguese folk dance and folk song to create The Legend of Lilau (27/5, Dom Pedro V Theatre). Original music and songs combine with Portuguese folk dances to illuminate the rich and enduring multicultural environment created centuries ago in Macao. International theatre also plays a role in the MAF. The Imaginary Book (7, 8, 10/5, Dom Pedro V Theatre), from Spain's Companyia de Comediants La Baldufa, is a multidisciplinary show for all ages. An imaginary journey to an unreachable place, this is a voyage that will change forever the lives of all those who embark on it. From Israel comes Stones (14, 15/5, Dom Pedro V Theatre) by the Orto-Da Theatre Group. A show that deals with the passion for life, the heroic myth and the victory of the spirit within the modern world, Stones tells the rebel's story through the eyes of a sculpture that comes to life. The Danish one-woman company Sofie Krog Teater presents Diva (20~22/5, Lou Kau Mansion), an almost wordless performance set in a rotating animation theatre. Behind an inferno of seven scenes of action and 21 curtains, everything can be moved, opened, shut and hoisted up or down. Diva looks like nothing you have ever seen before! The MAF has also programmed both international and local dance. The Companhia Portuguesa de Bailado Contemporâneo, from Portugal, presents the ballet Amaramália (2/5, MCCGA). This new version is a synthesis of three separate choreographies crafted by Vasco Wellenkamp between 1990 and 1994 for three important European dance companies. The result not only highlights the Portuguese Fado, it carries the essence of Lisbon to other places around the world. che… malambô (14, 15/5, MACCGA), from the Pampa Furiosa Ballet d'Argentine, is a dynamic performance that beautifully expresses the virtuosity and vitality of the malambo, a unique South American dance form. Among Argentinean dances it is exceptional, because it has no lyrics and is performed only by men with the support of elaborate guitar accompaniment. Complex and energetic, the malambo was traditionally danced in tournaments to exhibit the extraordinary skills of the gauchos. Representing physical dance theatre is Scattered (18, 19/5, Macao Cultural Centre Small Auditorium – MCCSA) by British dance company Motionhouse. This work combines the company's trademark highly physical theatre with mesmerising aerial imagery in a unique interaction between film and live performance exploring our relationship with water, an element that surrounds us in different forms throughout our lives.
The Macao Dance Groups Showcase (22/5, MCCSA) features a number of local people of varied heritage and backgrounds, all of whom will share in joyous and passionate traditional and modern dance languages. Among the performers are the V R Rockers, Núcleo de Goa, Damão e Diu with Renu Dhawan, Violet Dance Company, Casa de Portugal in Macao – Lebab, The Dancer Studio Macao, Grupo Axe Capoeira Macau, Batukada Brasil and the Cia. de Dança Afro Mavanjù. Last but not least, the performance that will bring this 22nd edition of the MAF to a close is Momentum, from returning Israeli group Mayumana (27, 28/5, MCCGA). Time is the rhythm-pacer and the foundation for the development of music, song and dance. However, our actions have the ability to change our perceptions of time. In Momentum, Mayumana have the ability to stop time or slow it down in order to arrest the present moment; or reverse it in order to revisit the past; or speed it up in order to launch ourselves further into the future… The performing arts contribute further to the MAF itinerary with a series of shows to take place in the north of Macao between 6 and 10 May. The Outdoor Performing Arts Showcase, held at Iao Hon Garden, brings together international and Chinese artists, who present a marathon of performances falling just outside the mainstream. Among the scheduled groups are Motionhouse (UK), La Passionata Svironi Company (Israel), Zic Zazou (France), Orto-Da Theatre Group (Israel), Osadía (Espanha), the Macao Federation of Trade Unions Dance Group, the Macao Juvenile Group of Guzheng Arts, the Macao Fringe Club, the Macao Percussion Association, the Southern Music Association of Macao, the Macao Taoist Orchestra Association, Au Kuan Cheong, City in Emotion, the Bridge, L.A.V.Y., the Shinshins and Bruce Pun. The MAF also features two art exhibitions. The 2011 Macao Annual Art Exhibition, titled A Decade of Glory (22 May~7 August 2011, Old Court Building), marks the 10th anniversary of this annual show, which consistently lends flair to the Macao Arts Festival, encouraging open-minded thinking and creative techniques within the local visual arts scene. The Exhibition “A Glimpse at French Contemporary Painting” (28/5~14/8, Tap Seac Gallery) presents an overview of contemporary painting in France through a selection of eight famous and promising French artists. These daring painters create art that is variously figurative, abstract or somewhere enigmatically in between. They demonstrate with brilliance that painting is thoroughly alive and kicking in France. The varied MAF programme also features an audiovisual mapping performance by Spain's Telenoika.Net Audiovisual Open Creative Community. Encounters (13~22/5, St. Paul's Ruins) retells stories of times past while simultaneously drawing attention to the current remnants of Macao's most iconic façade – the Ruins of St. Paul's. Also provided are workshops and pre- and post-performance talks supporting the events – activities aimed at stimulating public interest in the arts. In accordance with a long-standing MAF tradition, rehearsals for some of the performances will be open to the public. The Macao Government Tourist Office kindly supports promotion of the 22nd Macao Arts Festival in Mainland China and overseas. The performances held at the Macao Cultural Centre are supported by the Macao Cultural Centre's rental subsidy scheme. Tickets for the 22nd Macao Arts Festival will be available after 10am on 27 March 2011 at all Kong Seng Ticketing outlets. Telephone and online bookings will be available from 1pm on 27 March. There will be a variety of discount plans (up to 40%) and a special promotion package for local performances. Detailed publicity materials are available at ticket counters. For more information please check the website of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at www.icm.gov.mo/fam. Information: (853) 2855 5555 in Macao; (852) 2380 5083 in Hong Kong
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According to the monitoring data of Gamma Radiation recorded for the past 24 hours (21st March 16:01 till 22nd March 16:00) by the Taipa Grande Station of the Macao Meteorological Bureau, the Gamma-ray absorbed dose rate per minute ranges between 0.1169 and 0.1318μGy/h (micro Gray / hour) which is far more below the warning level of 0.35μGy/h. The Macao Meteorological Bureau will continue to pay close attention to this nuclear incident in Japan and monitor for any possible impact on Macao. If any abnormalities being discovered, we will release related message to the public immediately and inform relevant government departments to adopt relative contingency measures.
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Regarding the rumour currently being spread by text messages to mobile phones and on the Internet saying that investment residency in Macao will be re-opened for applications and an administrative fee will be charged to process the application, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) wishes to clarify that such information is untrue. Such untrue and misleading information may have violated Macao's criminal law. IPIM urges all those intending to lodge investment residency applications not to believe in such misleading text. IPIM confirms that the Administrative Regulation No. 7/2007, effective from 4 April 2007, is still in force and that temporary residency applications for investment in local real estate are still suspended. IPIM urges anyone who has paid this illegal administrative fee and therefore has been defrauded should report it to the Macao Judiciary Police immediately on the Crime Reporting Hotline 993.
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According to the monitoring data of Gamma Radiation recorded for the past 24 hours (21th March 10:01 till 22nd March 10:00) by the Taipa Grande Station of the Macao Meteorological Bureau, the Gamma-ray absorbed dose rate per minute ranges between 0.1169 and 0.1300μGy/h (micro Gray / hour) which is far more below the warning level of 0.35μGy/h. The Macao Meteorological Bureau will continue to pay close attention to this nuclear incident in Japan and monitor for any possible impact on Macao. If any abnormalities being discovered, we will release related message to the public immediately and inform relevant government departments to adopt relative contingency measures.
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From March 12 until 5p.m. of March 21, the Cross-departmental Working Team sealed three more premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally. To date, the Cross-departmental Working Team has closed 116 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally. Staff of MGTO continues to check the premises to ensure they remain sealed and supply of water and electricity suspended. MGTO stressed that damaging the seal and resuming supply of water and electricity is a criminal offence which will be submitted to judicial entity for follow up.
Since the Cross-departmental Working Team started operations, 1,305 premise-checks were conducted, involving 855 premises, of which 116 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 136 were normal residences, 251 were dormitories for labor and vacant or commercial units. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found 27 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases.
Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has waged a total of 116 sanctions and nine operators who provided accommodation illegally were fined 200 000 patacas according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation". Other cases are in different stages of sanction proceedings.
To date, 534 occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 29 overstayers and 21 illegal immigrants. 21 operators, 14 touts, 19 persons who managed the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) and 11 occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were seized on site.
MGTO has begun sanction proceedings on offenders according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation". If the nine operators who provided accommodation illegally, who were fined 200 000 patacas, do not pay within the statutory period, the Financial Services Bureau will enforce the collection of fine. Meanwhile, the 10 occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were fined 3 000 patacas each, among which four have paid the fine. For those who fail to pay the fine within the statutory period, MGTO has notified the Financial Services Bureau to enforce the collection of fine and informed PSP that the involved persons should pay the fine or their reentry into Macau will be denied.
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The 58th Macau Grand Prix will be held from November 17 to 20 this year. Practice and qualifying sessions will take place on November 17th and 18th (Thursday and Friday), while races are held on November 19th and 20th (Saturday and Sunday). Seven races including the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix; the FIA World Touring Car Championship - Guia Race of Macau and the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, and four support races are in the programme. The Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix, the only one named Formula 3 intercontinental Cup in the world, will be included this year in the FIA Formula 3 International Trophy, with the Macau Grand Prix amongst the planned six-round debut season. The 2011 FIA World Touring Car Championship once again takes place at the Guia Circuit, for the seventh successive year, crowning its Champion in Macau, in its final races of the season. International road racing and endurance riders from across Europe, North America and Asia will line-up on the grid for the 45th running of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, which once again has become the latest prestigious event to count towards the Duke Road Race Rankings series. Aside from the three main races, there are four exciting support races this year. Macau GT Cup, with a large series of GT cars will show up in this invitational race, has become a popular race in Hong Kong, Macau and Asia Pacific. The Macau Touring Car Cup, the Macau Road Sport Challenge and the Macau / Hong Kong Interport Race will once again be in the programme. Local drivers who would like to join these races in the MGP will fight in the Macau Touring Car Championship organised by Automobile General Association Macao-China, held at the Guangdong International Circuit in Zhaoqing in May and June. Tickets of this year's 58th Macau Grand Prix are on sale, ranging from MOP50.00 on practice day to MOP900.00 at the Lisboa Stand on race day. Book your tickets now at the Macau Grand Prix Committee at (853) 87962210 / (853) 87962242 or email: macaugp@cgpm.gov.mo. For details, please visit the Committee official website: http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/.
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According to the monitoring data of Gamma Radiation recorded for the past 24 hours (20th March 16:01 till 21st March 16:00) by the Taipa Grande Station of the Macao Meteorological Bureau, the Gamma-ray absorbed dose rate per minute ranges between 0.1178 and 0.1309μGy/h (micro Gray / hour) which is far more below the warning level of 0.35μGy/h. The Macao Meteorological Bureau will continue to pay close attention to this nuclear incident in Japan and monitor for any possible impact on Macao. If any abnormalities being discovered, we will release related message to the public immediately and inform relevant government departments to adopt relative contingency measures.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that the Composite CPI (108.13) for February 2011 rose by 4.70% year-on-year; the increment was attributable to rising indices of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages; Housing & Fuels; and Transport. Among the different sections, notable increase was observed in the price index of Clothing & Footwear (+8.02%), Transport (+7.31%), Health (+6.59%), Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+5.98%) and Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+5.61%) on account of dearer prices of women's clothing and footwear, gold jewellery, gasoline, LP-gas and airfare, as well as higher charges for meals bought away from home. On the contrary, the price index of Communication decreased by 8.29% year-on-year. The CPI-A (107.49) and CPI-B (108.34) for February 2011 rose by 4.36% and 4.91% year-on-year respectively. The Composite CPI for February 2011 increased by 0.90% month-to-month, with marked increase in the price index of Recreation & Culture (+4.79%); Transport (+1.58%); and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+1.52%), which was caused by higher charges for outbound package tours, rising prices of gasoline, airfare, as well as fresh fish and seafood. However, price index of Clothing & Footwear registered a decrease of 1.65%. Meanwhile, the CPI-A and CPI-B increased by 0.94% and 0.91% respectively month-to-month. The average Composite CPI for the first two months of 2011 increased by 4.81% year-on-year. For the 12 months ended February 2011, the average Composite CPI rose by 3.39% from the preceding period. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
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Upon the radiation leak occurred at Fukushima Prefecture Nuclear Power Plant No. 1 in Japan, the Macao Meteorological Bureau has been monitoring closely for any alteration of the radiation level in Macao and so far no abnormalities has been discovered. According to the monitoring data of Gamma Radiation recorded for the past 24 hours (20th March 10:01 till 21st March 10:00) by the Taipa Grande Station of the Macao Meteorological Bureau, the Gamma-ray absorbed dose rate per minute ranges between 0.1178 and 0.1318μGy/h (micro Gray / hour) which is far more below the warning level of 0.35μGy/h. Besides, the radiation level in Macao has always been within the normal level with no abnormalities found since the very beginning of this incident. The Macao Meteorological Bureau will continue to pay close attention to this nuclear incident in Japan and monitor for any possible impact on Macao. If any abnormalities being discovered, we will release related message to the public immediately and inform relevant government departments to adopt relative contingency measures.
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Upon the radiation leak occurred at Fukushima Prefecture Nuclear Power Plant No. 1 in Japan, the Macao Meteorological Bureau has been monitoring closely for any alteration of the radiation level in Macao and so far no abnormalities has been discovered. According to the monitoring data of Gamma Radiation recorded for the past 24 hours (19th March 16:01 till 20th March 16:00) by the Taipa Grande Station of the Macao Meteorological Bureau, the Gamma-ray absorbed dose rate per minute ranges between 0.1195 and 0.1318μGy/h (micro Gray / hour) which is far more below the warning level of 0.35μGy/h. Besides, the radiation level in Macao has always been within the normal level with no abnormalities found since the very beginning of this incident. The Macao Meteorological Bureau will continue to pay close attention to this nuclear incident in Japan and monitor for any possible impact on Macao. If any abnormalities being discovered, we will release related message to the public immediately and inform relevant government departments to adopt relative contingency measures.
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