IC
Since Macao’s return to the motherland 26 years ago, the cultural sector has flourished, particularly through the collaboration between the Macao Museum of Art and the Palace Museum, which has become a significant force in promoting cultural exchange. Over the years, we have partnered to present a series of captivating exhibitions featuring cultural relics, enriching the lives of both Macao citizens and visitors while garnering widespread acclaim. These exhibitions not only celebrate the rich heritage of Chinese civilisation but also emphasise Macao’s unique role as a ‘base for cultural exchange and cooperation,’ where Chinese culture serves as the foundation in a harmonious coexistence of diverse cultures.
This year, we are further expanding our cooperative horizons. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Portugal, we have invited the National Museum of Ancient Art, the Orient Foundation, and the Ajuda Library in Portugal to participate alongside the Palace Museum. The exhibition, with the theme as shown in the subtitle ‘16th – 19th Century Sino-Portuguese Cultural Exchange’, features a selection of 177 exquisite items, including ceramics, silk, paintings, and documents, vividly showcasing the dialogue and fusion of Eastern and Western civilisations over four centuries. The exhibits also include various collections from the Department of Cultural Heritage, the Macao Museum of Art, and the Macao Museum under the Cultural Affairs Bureau. This exhibition not only testifies to Portugal’s explorations in the East during the Age of Navigation but also records the prosperity of Macao as a hub of the ‘Maritime Silk Road’ during the Ming and Qing dynasties, highlighting the city’s historical contributions to connecting China with the world.
Cultural vitality thrives on exchange and mutual appreciation, with museums playing a vital role in this process. This exhibition unites invaluable cultural relics from China and Portugal, including the phoenix-formed porcelain kendi with underglazed blue painted decoration from the Portuguese Age of Navigation, held by the National Museum of Ancient Art, and the blue-and-white lidded jar featuring a brocade pattern from the Ming dynasty’s Yongle reign, sourced from the Palace Museum. These exceptional, rarely seen treasures highlight the rich cultural connections between our two nations.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Palace Museum, Portugal’s National Museum of Ancient Art, Orient Foundation, and Ajuda Library, as well as the Macao Foundation, the Macao Government Tourism Office, and the Macao Daily News for their support, which has enabled this vibrant cultural chapter to be vividly presented.
Finally, we warmly invite everyone to explore the exhibition and immerse themselves in the rich cultural fusion of China and Portugal, while acknowledging Macao’s significant historical influence. Together, let’s commit to preserving our cultural heritage, nurturing the flame of civilisation, and enhancing multicultural exchange to enrich the tapestry of human civilisation.
Deland, Leong Wai Man
President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government