Monumental celebration in Macau to mark the 10th anniversary of Unesco World Heritage recognition

Macau is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its historic centre earning official recognition as a Unesco World Heritage Site. The city’s collection of notable monuments is a rich tapestry of Portuguese and Chinese history, and includes more than 20 locations such as A-Ma Temple, Moorish Barracks, Mandarin’s House, Dom Pedro V Theatre, the Ruins of St. Paul’s and Guia Fortress.

To recognise this milestone, the Macau government has arranged activities that cover everything from art to culture, research, academic projects and heritage forums in order to promote the city’s unique culture.

In addition, a series of books have been released to commemorate the anniversary. Among them is The Historic Centre of Macau by Tang Si Peng, featuring numerous images of the buildings along with some blueprints, and offers an overview of the 25 sites that make up the heritage site. Its launch is part of a series of new books ranging from academic work to fiction and poetry.

Continuing in an academic vein, the government and the Centre for Macau Studies at the University of Macau jointly held a seminar featuring scholars and experts on architecture discussing conservation and cultural heritage.

As part of the drive to emphasise the importance of preserving historical sites, the city is presenting an exhibition at the site of the Ruins of St. Paul’s on safeguarding cultural heritage in Macau. Running until August 15, the exhibition covers the development of heritage efforts in the enclave, which has resulted in a robust conservation platform.