The 3rd Macao International Lantern Festival Opening Ceremony

by Prashant Kapadia/NHN

China-EU Artists Collaborate Monumental Rabbit, Butterfly & Flower Art Installation

For Macao’s Unprecedented Illumination Brightening the Waterfront Promenade

Hosted by One Central Macao and Wynn Macao, co-organized by Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association (MIBA), in collaboration with Marreiros Architectural Atelier Limited and Macao Cultural Gifts Design Brand “Meeet”, and supported by Macao Government Tourism Office and Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), the opening ceremony of the 3^rd Macao International Lantern Festival was held at the Waterfront Promenade of One Central Macao and Wynn Macao in the evening today. Taking place at the Waterfront Promenade of One Central Macao and Wynn Macao as well as Anim’Arte NAM VAN, this Lantern Festival, from now to 15^thOctober, is dedicated to celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival with Macao community and travellers. The month-long Lantern Festival were unveiled in the opening ceremony. Among the officiating guests were Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office; Mr. José Maria da Fonseca Tavares, Chairman of Administration Committee of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau;  Mr. Eric Chan, General Manager of One Central Macao; Ms. Linda Chen, Vice Chairman and Executive Director, Wynn Macao, Limited; Ms. Terry Sio, President of Macao International Brand Enterprise Commercial Association; Mr. Carlos Marreiros, Macanese Architect and Renowned Artist; Mr. Vincent Tung, Director of Group Marketing of Shun Tak Group; and Ms. Miquelina Hoi, Commercial Director of Meet Culture Limited.

Colorful Lantern Art Installations Set The Tone To Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival Together

Led by renowned Macanese architect and artist Carlos Marreiros, the collaboration is a contemporary art display themed as “Love is in the Air”, comprising 10 monumental and illuminative lantern sculptures between six to twelve meters tall located at One Central Macao Promenade. All lantern sculptures are designed by Carlos Marreiros, namely as “Love Couple”, “All You Need is Love”, “Origami Love Rabbits Tree” and “The Poet of Love – Camilo Pessanha”, “Joy of Love”, “Emergency Love”, “Queen of Hearts”, “Eden’s Fruit of Love” and “Love Rabbit for All”, with ten out of five contemporary lantern sculptures decorated by him, the promenade has turned into a dazzling, fun-filled festive carnival.

Meanwhile, with ten out of five contemporary lantern sculptures are commissioned decorative works in collaboration with prominent and promising artists. They are “Joy of Love” by esteemed Macao painter Lio Man Cheong; “Emergency Love” by Beijin主g artist Mei Le; “Queen of Hearts” by Portuguese artist Ana Jacinto Nunes; “Eden’s Fruit of Love” by British architect and artist Farah Carolina; and “Love Rabbit for All” by Italian artist Ugo Re, gracing the peaceful and joyful festive season with bright colors and delicate contour.

Extending along the Waterfront Promenade of Wynn Macao, an impressive interactive art installation featuring fluttering butterflies and beautiful flowers are designed by renowned architect and artist Carlos Marreiros and a group of local artists under the theme “Wynn Butterfly Story”, giving visitors an opportunity to engage with LED animations and to admire vibrant lanterns.  Celebrating the concept of “art without borders”, Wynn Macao is pleased to be partnering with Fuhong Society of Macao. Its autistic artist Leong Ieng Wai, or better known as “0.38” – has created a very special piece entitled “Landing on 0.38 Kingdom of Happiness”. His piece, featuring the Mid-Autumn moon, adds a perfectly romantic flair for this year’s Lantern Festival for local citizens and global tourists to embrace the happy living at the joyful atmosphere of Mid-Autumn night.

The 3^rd Macao International Lantern Festival will again extends its exhibits to Anim’Arte NAM VAN, bringing extra fascination with an array of light installations created by Macao cultural gifts design brand Meeet. Lantern is a long-standing cultural element and one of Macao’s familiar urban impressions. Themed “Tour & Play The Lantern”, visitors are welcome to interact with this series of mid-Autumn installation comprising lanterns with rotating scenes, projection lights with interesting patterns and illuminating styling chairs. Aiming to create a more influential Lantern Festival than ever, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the exhibits and play around the exhibition for more interactive yet rewarding experience to appreciate the lantern-related customs and unforgettable Macao memories.