Prof. Xue Jiabao of Yancheng Normal University gave a lecture at the Centre for Chinese History and Culture of the University of Macau

On 26 May 2021, Prof. Xue Jiabao of Yancheng Normal University delivered a lecture on “British Desert Island Literature in the Visual Threshold of Chinese Culture” at the Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of the University of Macau (UM). Prof. Li Defeng, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FAH) of UM, Prof. Lei Lai Cheng, Assistant Dean of the FAH of UM, Prof. Zhu Shoutong, Director of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture of UM, Prof. Chen Zhong, Deputy Director of the Confucius Institute, Prof. Zhang Yue and Prof. Wang Sihao of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, and students attended the lecture. And the on-site lecture received an enthusiastic response.

 

University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences visited the Centre for Chinese History and Culture of the University of Macau

Mr. Gao Xiang, the Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the Dean of the Chinese Academy of History, led a delegation to visit the University of Macau (UM) on 26 May 2021. The delegation was warmly received by the Rector of the UM, Prof. Song Yonghua. During the visit, the delegation visited the Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of the University of Macau at Cultural Building.

 

Prof. Zhu Shoutong, Director of the CCHC, reported the work content of the centre to the delegation, mainly from the establishment of the centre, the working principle of the centre, and the five constructions in the centre (activity promotion centre, education and training centre, academic exchange centre, academic research centre, publicity and publication centre). And the centre has achieved fruitful results throughout the four years since it has been established. In the end, Prof. Zhu Shoutong summed it up with the sentence “the relationship between homogenization, homochromization, and also specialization and popularization”.

Prof. Lam Iok-fong, Director of the Centre for Macau Studies (CMS), also introduced the contents of work and the books published by the CMS. The centre’s mission is to promote interdisciplinary research in Macao. In different historical periods, Macao has adjusted its goals in response to the development. In recent years, China has put forward the “One Belt, One Road” initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, and Macao has entered a new stage of history. The future of Macao has a closer relationship with national policies.

After the visit, the CCHC and the CASS exchanged souvenirs. In addition, the UM and CASS held an exchange ceremony for the cooperation agreement between the two universities in Cultural Building, confirming that UM and CASS will jointly implement the “Student Recommendation Enrollment Plan Agreement” and the “Student Exchange Agreement”.

In addition, the delegation from the CASS also visited the “Signature Wonders” exhibition organized by the CCHC and the library. Accompanied by the UM Rector, Prof. Song Yonghua, the University Librarian, Dr.. Wu Jianzhong, and the Director of the CCHC, Prof. Zhu Shoutong. Mr. Gao Xiang, the Dean of the Chinese Academy of History, showed great interest in the exhibition and evaluated highly of the value of the exhibits.

The 40th Anniversary of the University of Macau—Chinese Culture Exhibiting Activity: Huangmei Opera Art Appreciation

Organized by the Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of the University of Macau (UM), and co-organized by the On Fai Friendship Association of Macao, Anhui Huangmei Opera Theatre, and the Association of Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture of Macau, the 40th Anniversary of the University of Macau—Chinese Culture Exhibiting Activity: Huangmei Opera Art Appreciation was successfully held on 21 May, 2021, at the Theater of the E31 Student Activity Centre of the University of Macau.

Prof. Zhu Shoutong, Director of the CCHC of the UM, said in his speech that as one of the five major Chinese operas, Huangmei Opera is the quintessence of Chinese culture and an outstanding representative of China’s intangible cultural heritage. It originated from Huangmei Opera in Hubei Province, and it is now widely distributed in Anhui and Hubei provinces. To promote the excellent traditional Chinese culture as well as the cultural exchanges between Macau and Anhui, the CCHC, Anhui Huangmei Opera Theatre, and the Association of Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture of Macau jointly organized this activity. It is wished that this event could enhance the youth of Macao to feel and experience the charm of the excellent traditional Chinese opera culture through this experience.

Ms. Chan Chi Leng, the president of the Association of Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture of Macau, said in her speech that Huangmei Opera comes from the folks and enjoys both refined and popular tastes. It has impressed countless audiences with its rich flavor of life and fresh local flavor. Furthermore, it is hoped that, this event can help to encourage meeting with friends by means of literature, strengthen the cultural exchanges between Macao and Anhui, and jointly promote the construction of “One Base” in Macao.

This event was divided into two parts. The first part was an introduction to the culture of Huangmei Opera. Mr. Yao Entian, a national first-class performer and the head of the performance troupe of Huangmei Theatre in Anhui Province, and other performers from Huangmei Theatre introduced the culture of Huangmei Opera to the students.

The second part was the artistic appreciation of Huangmei Opera. Many performing artists had brought us a rich artistic and cultural feast of Huangmei Opera, such as “Couple Watching the Lanterns”, “Couple Returning the Home” and other classic works.

Staff from the Centre for Chinese History and Culture of the University of Macau visited the “National Security Education Exhibition”

On 14 May, 2021, the Centre for Chinese History and Culture staff visited the “National Security Education Exhibition” jointly organized by the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR. The exhibition was held from 15 April to 16 May in the exhibition hall of the Commercial Cooperation Service Platform Complex between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

The exhibition was divided into four parts, including “National Security under major changes unseen in a century”, “Adhering to the overall national security concept to build a general security pattern”, “Maintain national security and ensure the stability of ‘One Country, Two System’” and “The responsibility of the people for national security”. The exhibition focused on the remarkable journey of the country and Macao over the past year, the national people’s concerted efforts to fight the epidemic, and the latest progress of the country and Macao in improving the national security system through refined text, over 400 pictures and nearly 20 videos.

Through this exhibition, the Centre for Chinese History and Culture staff have a better comprehension of national security and the responsibility of the citizens. Meanwhile, they have a deeper understanding of the wisdom and experience of the country in fighting the epidemic, witness the Chinese spirit in epidemic prevention and control, and see the latest progress of the country and Macao in improving the national security system.

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the University of Macau: FAH-CCHC Lecture Series: Studying Macao’s Diversified Culture: Mateus Ricci and Chinese Culture (1)

Centre for Chinese History and Culture of University of Macau held a Zoom lecture on May 28th themed “Multicultural Study Activities in Macao──Father Matteo Ricci and Chinese Culture”. Professor Ye Nong, Director of the Research Centre for the History and Culture of Hong Kong and Macao of Jinan University was invited as the guest speaker. The lecture appealed to many students of Colegio Mateus Ricci to attend.

Professor Ye Nong shared his knowledge of cultural pluralism, Macau and Ricci. He pointed out that cultural pluralism refers to the process of social development in which a country or a nation inherits its own outstanding traditional culture and incorporates the outstanding traditional culture of other countries and nations, thereby achieving a harmonious social atmosphere. When expressing views on the diversity of cultures in Macao, Professor Ye Nong quoted Mr Fei Xiaotong’s saying: “Appreciate the culture of others as do to one’s own, and the world will become a harmonious whole.”

During the lecture, Professor Ye actively interacted with the students of Colegio Mateus Ricci, and the students also proposed many of their own insights.

Please refer to the Chinese Version for more details: 澳門大學四十週年校慶——中國歷史文化名師名校講座:澳門多元文化研習活動——利瑪竇神父與中華文化