By By LEO ARROKKIASAMMY malacca@thestar.com.my
MALACCA: Malaccans could now cherish Macau’s unique culture and art that is largely made up of a combination of Chinese and Portuguese, with the launch of the Macau gallery here.
The gallery that was opened recently is located in Bukit Peringgit, about ten minutes away from the historic city centre.
The gallery occupies a heritage building that was originally a colonial bungalow and was later used as a state government department office.
Promoting Macau: The Macau gallery at Bukit Peringgit Malacca. Macau’s secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Cheong U, and Macau Government Tourist Offices (MGTO) Director Joao Manuel Costa Antunes together with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Mayor Zainal Abu jointly cut the ribbons and performed an eye-dotting on a lionhead used by lion dance troupe to mark the opening of the Macau Gallery.
Other delegates from Macau who attended the opening ceremony were MGTO Destination Promotion Head, Betty Fok, Macau Museum Director Chan Leng Hin, Macau’s Maritime Museum Director, Wu Chu Peng and representatives from University of Macau.
Also present at the opening ceremony were state Education,Youth & Sports committee chairman Datuk Gan Tian Loo and State Secretary Datuk Wira Omar Kaseh.
Designed and managed by MGTO, the gallery is divided into zones with different themes to promote Macau’s history, culture and economy.
A total of 12 art pieces by Macau painters will be displayed at the gallery till the end of September to depict some of Macaus world heritage sites.
During the gala dinner held at a popular hotel in Malacca, Antunes said that both Macau and Malacca had a historical link peppered with rich Portuguese past and being recognised by the UNESCO as world heritage sites.
“The gallery will be a catalyst for mutual exchange for both Macau and Malacca to enhance understanding, strengthen friendship and consolidate cooperation,” he said.
Mohd Ali in his speech said the Macau gallery would also boost the effort placed by the state government to turn Bukit Peringgit as a tourist destination.
In 2009, the Macau Special Administrative Region Government and the Authorities of Malacca agreed on a MoU for the management of the heritage building with the purpose of transforming the property into a centre for promotion and exhibition of Macau’s culture and arts.
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