SJM Resorts, S.A. (“SJM”) is partnering with the Macau Artist Society and the Macau Youth Art Association to showcase the “Celebration of Art & Culture - Artistic Lantern Festival” at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau (“Grand Lisboa Palace”) and Grand Lisboa Hotel. The event is also supported by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macao Government Tourism Office. Six local grand masters and eight local young artists have joined forces to create iconic lantern installations that celebrate Chinese art and traditions, showcase Macau’s cultural heritage, and promote cross-sector synergies between “tourism + arts and culture”. This powerful combination of creative minds is a remarkable collaboration, spanning generations and conjoining multiple genres, with traditional art crisscrossing with modern creativity, to highlight the strength of Macau as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.

The highly anticipated “Celebration of Art & Culture – Artistic Lantern Festival” event, featuring specially commissioned works by local artists, will be held from 29 September to 31 October 2022 and opened freely to the public. The lantern arts will be on exhibit at the Grand Lisboa Palace West Entrance and Jardim Secreto, as well as in the lobby of Grand Lisboa Macau in celebration of both the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day. SJM, an avid supporter of arts and cultural development over the years, has been amalgamating cultural elements into its tourism offerings, and has actively put together art and cultural activities to innovate new models for “tourism + arts and culture”. In so doing, it aims to consolidate the cultural positioning as a “base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist” in line with Macau government’s strategy.

Six accomplished local artists will be collaborating with eight budding artists in various modern art realms to create nine enigmatic pieces. The six renowned masters are Mr. Lok Hei, President of the Macau Artist Society and Board Member of the China Artists Association; Mr. Lai Ieng, Chairman of the Macau Art Master Association and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Macau Artist Society; Mr. Ng Wai Kin, Chairman of the Macau Artist Society and Secretary-General of the Macau Art Master Association; Mr. Sio In Leong, Executive Vice President of the Macau Artist Society and Chairman of the Macau Art Master Association; Mr. Lio Man Cheong, Vice President of the Macau Artist Society and member of the Chinese Artists Association; and Ms. Lao Chon Hong, Vice Chairman of the Macau Artist Society. The eight young talents collaborating with these veterans include Mr. Thomas Lo Si In (“MCZ”), a graffiti artist; Ms. Mel Cheong, a printmaking and installation artist; Ms. Zha Rui, a virtual reality artist; Mr. Sit Ka Kit, an oil painter; Ms. Nicole Ng, a graphic designer; Mr. Elvis Mok, a calligrapher; Ms. Anny Chung, a graphic illustrator, and Ms. Wansi Ieong, an oil painter.

Ms. Daisy Ho, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SJM, remarked, “We are truly privileged to set the stage for this collaboration between six of Macau’s legendary artists and eight talented young artists. In addition to preserving the traditional art of lantern making, it is an excellent opportunity to showcase the multi-faceted talents we have in Macau. Through supporting local creative industries, SJM is dedicated to driving synergistic growth of Macau’s cultural and tourism developments, enhancing the city’s reputation as a UNESCO World Heritage, and driving economic diversification. This event will become a regular addition to our yearly calendar, through which SJM can celebrate with the community as well as provide a platform that contributes to fostering local talents.”

Mr. Lok Hei, President of the Macau Artist Society, said, “This delightful collaboration between the Macau Artist Society and SJM honours the age-old family tradition of admiring the full moon accompanied by a blossom of lanterns during Mid-Autumn, while celebrating fresh creativity in this art form deeply set in Chinese Culture. The event is about ‘perpetuation’ and marks a time of celebration for all Macau residents and visitors to come together during this special festive season.”

The “Celebration of Art & Culture – Artistic Lantern Festival” event comprises various exciting activities for the Macau community, including lantern-making workshops, interactive AR games, and educational lantern exhibition tours led by SJM team members. SJM is also inviting charity organisations and students to join the tours and learn about the uniqueness of Chinese heritage, art and culture.