Embracing Tradition and Innovation for Cultural Prosperity: Launch Ceremony of the 3rd Festival of China Culture and the 7th Macao Forum for Chinese Culture

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On 25 and 26 November, 2024, the launch ceremony for the 3rd Festival of China Culture and the 7th Macao Forum for Chinese Culture took place at the E34 Cultural Building of UM. The Festival was created and organized to promote the outstanding traditions of Chinese culture, enhance the sense of patriotism and love for Macao within the academic and social communities, and foster a positive atmosphere for the inheritance of Chinese culture in Macau.

This year’s cultural festival is hosted by the University of Macau and supported by the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Central Government’s Liaison Office in Macau, the Cultural and Tourism Department of Henan Province, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macau SAR Government, the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macau SAR Government, the Macau Foundation, the General Association of Chinese Culture in Macau, and the Henan Provincial Museum of Literature and History. The collaboration units include the Think Tank of United Citizens, Macau University of Science and Technology, the Institute of Chinese Culture at City University of Macau, the Macau Institute of Sino-Western Innovation, the Association of Chinese Excellent Traditional Culture in Macau, and Macao Base for Primary and Secondary Education in Humanities and Social Sciences.

Prof. Mok Kai Meng, Vice Rector of UM, delivered a welcome speech at the event, stating that the success of the previous two Festival of Chinese Culture provided valuable opportunities to deepen cultural exchange and promote academic prosperity. He emphasized that the festival successfully established a platform to showcase the charm of Chinese culture and expressed confidence that this year’s festival would achieve even more fruitful results, contributing new strength to the inheritance and development of Chinese culture. He also highlighted that the Macao Forum for Chinese Culture would leverage Macao’s unique position as a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures, focusing on the theme “Macao Culture and Modern Chinese Civilization,” and inviting numerous experts and scholars from various fields to gather and share ideas, which would inject new vitality into the promotion of Chinese culture.

After Prof. Mok’s speech, Prof. Xu Jie, Dean of the FAH of UM, announced the official opening of the launch ceremony for the 3rd Festival of China Culture and the 7th Macao Forum for Chinese Culture.

Mr. Chen Zongxin, Deputy Director of the United Front Work Department of the Yunfu Municipal Committee of the Communist Party, mentioned in his speech that this event marks the return of Yunfu culture to the University of Macau following the presentation of the “Southern Lychee Leaves” art exhibition at the 2nd Festival of China Culture in 2023. He pointed out that the cultural integration between Yunfu and Macao strengthens the cultural ties between the two places.

Prof. Zhu Shoutong, Director of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture of UM, stated that thanks to the broad support from various sectors of society, previous festivals have been very successful and have achieved significant results. Through collaboration with government agencies from provinces such as Guangdong, Henan, and Jiangsu, the festival has promoted the development of more regionally distinctive traditional cultures. He also expressed the commitment to making the Macao Forum for Chinese Culture a more culturally meaningful and academically influential platform, with the hope that it would gather wisdom from various sources and integrate outstanding achievements from different fields, allowing culture to be promoted and inherited through sharing and learning.

Liu Chan, President of the Liu Haisu International Art Research Association, and Meng Na, President of the European New Immigrant Chinese Writers Association, extended their congratulations online for the launch of the Festival of China Culture and Macao Forum for China Culture. Ms. Meng Na remarked that the festival and forum hold particular significance in the current era and also possess profound historical meaning, serving as a vivid portrayal of the Chinese heart and the spirit of return.

The launch ceremony also included the awarding of the “Chinese Culture Promotion Ambassador” supervisory commission certificates, the ambassador appointment ceremony, and the award ceremony for the 2024 “Full Love Macao” short video competition. During the Chinese arts and culture showcase, Ms. Hu Qian performed the Yue Opera “Clothing Covers the World,” and the Macao Mulan Association demonstrated the “Dunhuang Art Fitness routine”. The 3rd Festival of China Culture features nearly one hundred diverse activities, which will continue until December. Everyone is welcome to visit the relevant websites and public accounts to stay updated on the progress of the events.

The 7th Macao Forum for Chinese Culture was successfully held

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On November 26, 2024, the 7th Macao Forum for Chinese Culture, jointly organized by the Centre for Chinese History and Culture at the University of Macau and the Think Tank of United Citizens, was successfully held. This forum coincided with the launch ceremony of the main project of the 3rd Festival of  Chinese Culture of UM. The theme of the forum was “Macao Culture and Chinese Modern Civilization,” aiming to explore the value and contributions of Macao’s traditional culture to modern Chinese civilization.

Chairperson Chen Bingbing of the Think Tank of United Citizens and renowned writer, one of the forum’s initiators, Lu Xinhua, both delivered speeches. Chairperson Chen stated that this forum not only enriches the connotation of Macau as a “cultural base,” but also shapes Macau’s cultural foundation, providing valuable insights for preserving the Chinese cultural context and promoting the creative transformation and development of Chinese culture. This forum serves as both a reflection on past achievements and a vision for future development. Lu Xinhua pointed out that the academic and cultural influence of the forum is the result of collaborative efforts from all sectors. And then, the officiating guests conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The forum was organized into four sessions, each featuring keynote speeches and discussions. Over the course of one day, more than 20 experts and scholars delivered insightful presentations on topics including the influence of Macao culture on modern Chinese civilization, the contributions of Macao culture to contemporary Chinese civilization, Macao literature and culture, as well as modern Chinese literature and culture. Scholars and experts from various fields such as history, philosophy, thought, culture, and literary arts engaged in in-depth discussions, enhancing cultural confidence and promoting cultural heritage. This made the forum a feast of intellectual exchange and academic dialogue.

Jiangmen Historical and Cultural Experience Tour

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From 8th to 10th November, 2024, the Centre for Chinese History and Culture at the University of Macau, in collaboration with the Colstory and Culture at the U, Cinta Escola, jointly organized the Jiangmen Historical and Cultural Experience Tour. This in-depth study tour aimed to lead students to the Greater Bay Area for inspection and exchange, to broaden their knowledge, enrich their spiritual outlook, and deepen their understanding of the country. Through on-site visits and exchanges, it is expected to stimulate students’ interest in the excellent culture of China and cultivate their understanding of Chinese history and culture.

November 8th – Cultural Background of Jiangmen

Jiangmen is a famous hometown of overseas Chinese in China, with abundant historical and cultural resources. In 2007, Jiangmen’s world heritage was listed in the World Heritage List by UNESCO, becoming the first world heritage project in Guangdong Province. In the China Hometown of Overseas Chinese Museum, teachers and students learned about the “Gigs Trade” that prevailed in the middle and late Qing Dynasty, and recognized the hard journey of overseas Chinese pioneers who built local infrastructures around the world with their own lives and sweat.

November 9th to 10th – Visit to Watchtowers and Villages

In Kaiping and Taishan, students visited watchtowers and villages, learning about the architectural background and characteristics of watchtowers from the Ming Dynasty to the Republic of China era. Kaiping watchtowers are a typical representative of overseas Chinese culture, carrying a wealth of historical information and cultural connotations. In Zili Village, Liyuan, and Meijia Courtyard, teachers and students visited the rapeseed flower fields and watchtower clusters, understood the spirit of “self-reliance” and the historical background of the characteristic architecture of watchtowers, and discussed the profound significance of Chinese and Western cultures. In Chikan Ancient Town, students learned about the rise and development of the two major families, the Situ and Guan, and gained a deeper understanding of their significant impact on the economy and people’s livelihood at the time.

Through this study trip, students visited many historical sites and gained an in-depth understanding of the local cultural heritage and historical background. The visits allowed students to feel the breadth and depth of Chinese culture, stimulating their enthusiasm for learning history and cultural heritage, and strengthening their appreciation and understanding of the beauty of Chinese culture. This study not only expanded the students’ horizons and enhanced their understanding of national culture but also laid a solid foundation for promoting Chinese culture.

“Legacy of Golden Stone” Suzhou-Hong Kong-Macao Seal Carving Joint Exhibition Opening Ceremony Successfully Held

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On October 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., the opening ceremony of the “Legacy of Golden Stone” Suzhou-Hong Kong-Macao Seal Carving Joint Exhibition was grandly held at the Centre for Chinese History and Culture of the University of Macau, E34 Cultural Building. This event, as one of the series of activities for the “3rd Festival of Chinese Culture” at the University of Macau, was jointly organized by CCHC of the UM, Suzhou Overseas Friendship Association, Changshu Overseas Friendship Association, and Changshu City International Cultural Exchange Promotion Association. The event attracted many artists, scholars, and guests from Suzhou, Macao, and Hong Kong.

The guests attending the event included: Wang Yang, Standing Committee Member of Suzhou Municipal Committee, Minister of United Front Work Department, Secretary-General of the Municipal Committee, and President of Suzhou Overseas Friendship Association, Wan Sucheng, Director of the Propaganda and Culture Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao, Song Yonghua, Rector of the University of Macau, Ho Teng Iat, All-China Women’s Federation Standing Committee Member and President of Macau Association of Fellows Provincials From Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai, Deng Bing, Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of Suzhou Municipal Committee and Vice President of Suzhou Overseas Friendship Association, Sam Chin Peng, Founding President of Macau Jiangsu Soviet Union, Xu Aoao, Retired President of Macau University of Science and Technology, Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics, and Permanent Honorary President of Macau Jiangsu Soviet Union, Fu Zimei, President of the People’s Daily Macau Branch, Liu Gang, President of Xinhua News Agency Macau Branch,  Tchu Angela, President of the Macau Suzhou Friendship Association, Wu Wenjin, Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of Changshu Municipal Committee and Executive Vice President of Changshu Overseas Friendship Association, and Zhu Shoutong, Director of CCHC.

At the ceremony, Wu Wenjin delivered a speech stating that artists from the three regions used handmade knives as brushes and stones as paper, integrating the essence of Chinese culture and the spirit of the times into a small space, not only showcasing the unique charm of seal carving art but also reflecting our firm belief in jointly inheriting and promoting the excellent traditional Chinese culture. In the future, it is hoped that based on a good foundation of exchange and cooperation, we will continue to make good use of the “Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture Hong Kong and Macao Tour” as a platform for exchange, continuously deepen the connotation of activities, and use culture as a link to expand the exchange and cooperation between Changshu and Hong Kong and Macao in the fields of art, science and technology, talent, and industrial projects, further stimulating the strong power of patriotism and love for Hong Kong and Macao.

Rector Song reviewed the recent activities held by the UM, especially the “One Country, Two Systems” themed activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland. He emphasized that the University of Macau has always been committed to cultivating more patriotic and Macao-loving talents. Cultural Building, as a landmark building of the University of Macau, symbolizes the university’s emphasis on humanities, traditional culture, and Chinese art. Song Yonghua also highly praised the excellent national culture of Suzhou and Changshu, especially mentioning the Suao Pavilion, which is based on the prototype of Canglang Pavilion, as an important architectural representative of the University of Macau, guided by history and carrying culture.

Wu Wei, President of Yushan Seal Society, introduced the history and experience of Yushan Seal Society in detail in his speech, stating that Yushan Seal Society has been committed to promoting the popularization and improvement of seal carving art. He mentioned that Macao has a profound connection with Yushan Seal Society, and this joint exhibition not only showcases the essence of seal carving art from the three regions but also promotes cultural exchange and integration. He also revealed that the joint exhibition displayed more than 110 seal carving works, each of which is a testament to the artists’ efforts and wisdom.

The opening ceremony also included a ceremony to present the original stone seals to the UM, jointly issued by Wu Wei, President of Yushan Seal Society, Ho Pan, Vice President of Hou kong Seal Society, and Tang Changcheng, President of Hong Kong Seal Society. Wu Jianzhong, the University Librarian, accepted on behalf of the university and returned a collection certificate. Subsequently, 14 guests jointly performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the official opening of the “Legacy of Golden Stone” Suzhou-Hong Kong-Macau Seal Carving Joint Exhibition. After the opening ceremony, the guests visited the exhibition and the Suao Pavilion, and took a group photo there.

The “Legacy of Golden Stone” Suzhou-Hong Kong-Macao Seal Carving Joint Exhibition not only provided a platform for artists from the three regions to showcase their talents and exchange skills but also promoted in-depth cultural exchange and integration, making a positive contribution to the inheritance and development of Chinese culture.

Festival of Chinese Culture Launches Themed Activities in Nanjing

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To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, on the afternoon of November 1st, 2024, the main campus of Jiangsu Second Normal University hosted the themed activities of the Macao Festival of Chinese Culture: “Understanding a Different Macao.”

Prof. Zhu Shoutong, Director of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture at the University of Macau, was invited to give a lecture titled “Telling a Different Macau from a Literary and Cultural Perspective” for the university’s “Soul Casting and Soaring: Literature, Culture, and the Literary Mind – A Series of Humanities General Education Lectures“. The lecture provided a literary and cultural interpretation of Macao’s history and the social psychological reality of Macao. Hosted by Secretary Peng Lin, she concluded that this not only presents a Macao that is different in historical and current cognition but also offers cultural insights that cannot be found in books.

Third Festival of Chinese Culture Reports Good News： The work “Talented Woman in Chaotic Times,” deeply participated in by our centre, has won the Excellent Award from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

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At the 10th China (Anqing) Huangmei Opera Art Festival held in the hometown of Huangmei Opera—Anhui Anqing, the Huangmei Opera piece created and performed by Shanghai JunDe Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. won the Excellent Performance Award from the National Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

“Talented Woman in Chaotic Times” is based on the character of Xia Shuji, a female poet from Jiangnan during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the elder sister of the national hero Xia Wanchun. She embodies national integrity and concern for her country, depicting a painful historical episode written by a “wise and talented woman” during a time of turmoil. The lead actress, Hu Qian, is a specially invited as a mentor to the ambassadors for the promotion of Chinese historical culture at the Centre for Chinese History and Culture at the University of Macau. The titles of the productions “Talented Woman in Chaotic Times” and “Conquer the World” were written by Prof.Zhu Shoutong, the director of the centre.

It is reported  that the competition was highly competitive, with many national and provincial-level troupes participating. Among the award-winning productions, “Talented Woman in Chaotic Times” is the only award received by a non-governmental arts organization.

Talented Woman in Chaotic Times certificate.

 

 

CCHC successfully held the Lingnan Culture Advanced Seminar for Students of Hong Kong and Macao for cultural inheritance promotion

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Students and faculty from Soochow University learn about Macao’s history and culture at UM

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To promote academic exchanges between Macao and Suzhou, the Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of the University of Macau (UM) and Soochow University jointly organised a three-day training programme on Chinese culture promotion. A total of 26 students and faculty members from Soochow University participated in the programme at UM to enhance their understanding and knowledge of Macao’s history and culture.

 

Zhu Shoutong, director of CCHC, said at the opening ceremony that the activity could strengthen academic exchanges between the two places and promote the development of academic research. Ji Jinping, director of the Student Affairs Office of the School of Chinese Language and Literature at Soochow University, encouraged students to immerse themselves in the cultural atmosphere and academic environment of UM.

 

 

 

 

During the programme, students and faculty members from Soochow University attended workshops on a variety of topics, including Macao’s culture, children’s literature, and traditional Chinese poetry. They also visited the Suao Pavilion, the University Gallery, the UM Library, and the Wall of Great Wisdom at UM.

UM holds First International Forum on Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture

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The Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of the University of Macau (UM) held the First International Forum on Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture. The forum brought together experts, scholars, and leading figures in the field of Chinese medicine from around the world to discuss the close connection between health and Chinese medicine.

Zhu Shoutong, director of CCHC, said in his speech that, Chinese medicine is a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, hoping that the forum would enable participants to discover new values in the Chinese cultural system by bringing together Chinese medicine and traditional culture. Li Peng, deputy director of the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences at UM, said that Chinese medicine does not only represent an industry that the Macao SAR Government has focused on in recent years, but also is a research field that the university greatly supports. He added that the forum could take advantage of Macao’s role as a bridge for cultural exchanges between China and the West, and promote Chinese medicine on the international stage.

The forum featured Maha Guru Anand, a Malaysian practitioner of Chinese medicine and an international yoga instructor, as a speaker. Maha Guru has extensive experience in both medicine and yoga and is dedicated to promoting physical and mental health education. He mentioned that Chinese medicine deserves more attention in the medical field as it can explain the complex relationships between different parts of the human body. During the forum, experts and scholars held in-depth discussions and exchanges on various topics, such as the integration between Chinese medicine and natural medicine, and the development trend of Chinese medicine in the context of technological advancement.

李鵬致辭

Focusing on Future Development and Enhancing Influence —— The 2024 Academic Committee Annual Meeting of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture was convened successfully

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The Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) at the University of Macau (UM) successfully held its 2024 Academic Committee Annual Meeting on 7th April 2024. The meeting was presided over by Zhu Shoutong, the Director of the CCHC. During the meeting,  Wu Zhiliang, the Chairman of the Academic Committee of CCHC, met with all the members of the academic committee and engaged in thorough discussions and exchanges on the suggestions proposed by the members. The suggestions encompassed a range of areas including the acquisition of research resources, the creation of the Centre’s unique characteristics, the development of publications, and the establishment of an academic criticism centre. These suggestions are highly directive and practical for the future development of the Centre.

At the meeting, Zhu Shoutong first reviewed the Centre’s achievements over the past year, particularly the notable success in promoting the study of Chinese history and culture and its dissemination in Portuguese-speaking countries. Additionally, he pointed out the challenges faced by the Centre in its future development and emphasized the importance of actively seeking more support to make greater contributions to China’s academic research and cultural dissemination.

The suggestions put forward by the committee members are of guiding significance for the Centre’s future development such as actively seeking research resources and financial support, refining tender and project designs, strengthening the quality of publications, and establishing a dedicated criticism centre. All of these are aimed at expanding the research team, enhancing influence, and further promoting the education, research, and dissemination of Chinese history and culture.