The Macao Museum, under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, concluded the assessment for the four 2011 nominations to the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Macao, “Macanese Gastronomy”, “Patuá Theatre”, the “A-Ma Customs and Beliefs of Macao” and the “Na Cha Customs and Beliefs of Macao”, all of which were approved by an appointed jury. Beginning tomorrow, February 10th, the applications will undergo a 30-day public review period, allowing all Macao residents the opportunity to examine the documents pertaining to each item and submit their suggestions or concerns.

Owing to the publicity and promotional campaigns implemented in recent years to raise awareness about local heritage, the efforts to protect Macao’s Intangible Cultural Heritage have gradually earned the recognition, attention and participation of the Region’s citizens. In 2011, five local associations nominated a total of four heritage items for inclusion by the Cultural Affairs Bureau on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Macao. The number of applications is an increase over the nominations received in 2010 – a truly encouraging fact.

The recent applications also represent a more diverse array of cultural areas. This batch marks the first ever participation by Macanese associations, who have shown great enthusiasm with two nominations to the Intangible Cultural Heritage List, namely “Macanese Gastronomy”, submitted by the Confraria da Gastronomia Macaense, and “Patuá Theatre”, submitted by Dóci Papiaçám di Macau. Associations from within the Chinese community made an equal showing. Setting aside old grievances, the Associação do Templo da Calçada das Verdades de Macau and the Associação do Templo Na Cha joined forces to nominate the “Na Cha Customs and Beliefs of Macao”, while the Chinese Opera Association of Terrestrial and Maritime Dwellers of Barra appealed for the inscription of the locally influential Cult of A-Ma with their nomination of the “A-Ma Customs and Beliefs of Macao”.

The Macao Museum finished collecting applications in the first half of last year. They then invited a jury of three national specialists on intangible cultural heritage and four local individuals with recognised merit in the field to evaluate the submissions. After a rigorous screening process, the jury approved the nomination of all four items to Macao’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

In addition to the jury’s comments, the Cultural Affairs Bureau will take into account public opinion about the nominated items, gathered from the various social sectors in Macao during a 30-day public review, to commence February 10th. Introductions of the four nominated items, along with supporting videos, may be accessed on the websites of the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macao Museum. Photocopies of the submissions’ supporting documentation may be viewed at the following Bureau-run facilities: the Macao Central Library, the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, the Ilha Verde Library and the IACM Building Library. Local residents are requested to submit any opinions or objections regarding the nominated items or their evaluations, in writing, to the Macao Museum, by post (Address: Praçeta do Museu de Macau, Nº 112), by fax (2835 8503) or delivered in person, before the close of the public review period, which ends March 10th. Please write “Opinion regarding the items nominated for Intangible Cultural Heritage status” on the envelope and clearly describe your reasoning and arguments. All correspondence should include the sender’s name, address, contact number and preferred form of contact, so that the Cultural Affairs Bureau can process the matter and make the necessary recommendations. For enquiries, please visit the Museum website at www.macaumuseum.gov.mo or contact Mr. Tou on 8394 1209.