SASC
The Splendour of Chinese Bronzes: Masterpieces from the National Museum of China once again brings these national treasures to Macao.
The excellent traditional Chinese culture is the root and soul of the Chinese nation. Bronzeware, passed down throughout the 5000-year Chinese civilisation, has sustained the ritual culture through generations. These exquisite vessels embody ancient the wisdom and creativity of ancient artisans, preserving the records of the ritual system, social hierarchy, spiritual beliefs, family glory, and the rise and fall of regimes and nations at that time. Every piece of bronzeware stands as a historical testimony, imbued with rich cultural connotations and artistic value, truly representing a national treasure.
The Splendour of Chinese Bronzes: Masterpieces from the National Museum of China provides a platform for protecting and inheriting China’s cultural heritage. It allows us to understand ancient Chinese culture deeply, appreciate the extraordinary craftsmanship of ancient times, and connect with our ancestors’ yearning for a better life and their reverence for nature. This deeper understanding of Chinese culture’s long history and profundity enhances our cultural confidence and propels the creative transformation and innovative development of China’s excellent traditional culture. This year, as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, the dual anniversaries further accentuate the significance of this exhibition. The Macao Special Administrative Region Government remains dedicated to actively promoting and preserving the rich heritage of Chinese culture. By establishing ‘a base for exchange and cooperation with Chinese culture as the mainstream and the coexistence of different cultures’, we contribute to fostering cultural exchange, mutual learning, and the inheritance and development of the Chinese cultural heritage.
My sincere gratitude goes to the National Museum of China for their tremendous support. I wish the exhibition great success.
Ao Ieong U
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government