To celebrate Chinese National Day, SJM Resorts, S.A. (“SJM”) recently presented the “Celebration of Art and Culture – Artistic Lantern Festival” event in Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau (“Grand Lisboa Palace”) and Grand Lisboa Macau, tied in with an array of activities to promote traditional Chinese art, culture, and heritage within the community. At one such activity, SJM invited secondary school, college and university students to take part in guided lantern tours at the Resort whereby a team of trained ambassadors introduced how the lantern artworks honoured traditional techniques, while incorporating a distinctively contemporary identity. Furthermore, SJM held a total of five lantern-making workshops in September and October 2022, providing an experiential education opportunity to ignite the city’s creativity.

A valuable opportunity for students to experience the sophistication of Chinese Art & Culture
The “Celebration of Art & Culture – Artistic Lantern Festival” features specially crafted lantern installations created in collaboration with six local grand masters and eight local young artists from the Macau Artist Society. Celebrating Chinese art and culture while encouraging mutual creative advancement, this remarkable exhibition spans multiple generations and various media as a perfect showcase of how traditional artisanship intersects with modern ingenuity to enrich the vibrant artistic landscape of Macau. Close to 400 students visited the exhibition, learning first-hand the significance of lantern in Chinese culture and gaining greater appreciation for the Motherland’s intangible heritage to foster a stronger sense of patriotism.

Apart from the exhibition tour, students were also invited to visit the resident collection of artworks located at Grand Lisboa Palace Macau’s East and West lobbies. These bespoke pieces were specially commissioned from a group of young and established local artists to illustrate the city’s unique East-Meets-West cultural backdrop and thriving art scene.

The tours enabled students to gain insights into lantern designs, Grand Lisboa Palace’s artwork portfolio, and the daily operations of the Resort, which inspired them to experience the boundless possibilities of cross-sector synergy from “tourism + arts and culture,” laying a solid foundation for the further diversification of Macau’s tourism offerings and the development of art and cultural industries.

Offering an advanced development platform for employees through training
To encourage employees’ development, SJM launched a “Docent Ambassador Programme” for the “Celebration of Art & Culture – Artistic Lantern Festival” event. The company invited employees to actively participate and improve their skillsets across different fields. Training for the programme comprised corporate dress code and personal grooming, occupational safety and health, customer service etiquette etc., with a particular focus on clear communication skills in docent works as they guide guests through the event’s interactive AR game. Aside from skill-based training, special classes also expanded employees’ knowledge in art, Chinese culture, traditional crafts and lantern design.

A total of 24 employees were selected for the programme after rigorous evaluation and officially became ambassadors after completion of training, simulations, and rehearsals. These ambassadors received a special certificate from SJM in appreciation for their diligent efforts. The ambassadors shared how the event deepened their understanding of traditional Chinese art and culture, and also broadened their interests and skills. They also expressed support towards future programmes to be organized by the company.

Honouring lantern-making traditions through workshops
SJM and event co-organiser Macau Artist Society hosted five lantern-making workshops, where guests created their very own personalised lanterns under the guidance of one of the event’s participating artists. Through this interactive activity, participants were able to immerse in the joy of artistic creation under a warm familial atmosphere. Showcasing traditional techniques, the workshops imparted a deeper understanding of Chinese artisanal craft, and passed on this valuable knowledge to the next generation.

Since its inception, “Celebration of Art & Culture – Artistic Lantern Festival” has been popularly visited by many. Starting on the 5th of November 2022, the lanterns in both resort properties will be relocated to various areas within Grand Lisboa Palace’s lobbies and The Bazar for extended display.