International Museum Day is celebrated on 18^th May every year. This year, on Wednesday 18^th May - the Macao Museum of the Cultural Affairs Bureau and its affliated gallery Tak Seng On Pawnshop will open to the public for free.

In addition to two sessions of free guided tours (11:00am - Mandarin; 3:00pm - Cantonese), the Macao Museum will organise two activities including the game ‘Know More about Chinese Characters’ plus demonstrations of ‘gilding and colouring wooden carved religious figures’ on the same day in order to promote the traditional handicrafts of China’s intangible cultural heritage, thus raising public awareness about protecting local intangible cultural heritage. The two activities are scheduled from 11:00am to 1:00pm and from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, respectively. Residents and tourists are welcome to experience the rare opportunity of observing traditional handicraft demonstrations and participating in the games.

On Sunday 8^th May 2011, the Macao Museum will jointly organise the Macao International Museum Day Fair 2011 at Tap Seac Square with other museums in Macao. Featuring exhibitions, performances, workshops and games, the Fair seeks to strengthen communication between the public and the museums, showcasing the cultural, historical and educational functions of the museums and the characteristics of different museums. The Fair will also attract a number of museums from Guangdong and Hong Kong to participate.

In response to this year’s theme of Museum and Memory, the Macao Museum will host Macao’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage - Gilding and Colouring Wooden Carved Religious Figures Workshop for Parents and Children at the Fair from 3:00pm to 6:30pm. The Workshop comprises seven sessions, with half an hour and 20 members per session. Following the workshop, participants may take home their finished or semi-finished carved genuine gold foil tags featuring the 12 Chinese zodiac signs as souvenirs. Parents are welcome to participate in the workshop with their children. Registration in advance is required, and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. To register, please contact Mr. Sio at 8394 1233 or Ms. Lei at 8394 1231 during office hours.

To highlight the theme of International Museum Day, Macao Museum will extend the duration of the temporary exhibition Heavenly Harmonies – Taoist Ritual Music of Macao currently displayed on the third floor exhibition gallery of the Museum until 29^th May 2011.

For more information about International Museum Day activities, please call 2835 7911 during office hours or visit the Museum website at www.macaumuseum.gov.mo.