The interest in the Portuguese language anchors on both political, economic and cultural reasons, and a growing interest not only in Macau, but in other Portuguese-speaking countries to actively participate and explore the development of places, and its people, having in mind its essential Portuguese-related matrix and shared history.

In Macau, it seems therefore appropriate, and important, to also consider investing and promoting Portuguese as a language for specific purposes – namely by creating courses oriented to legal language, administration, business or entrepreneurship, or by producing textbooks and vocabulary collections aiming directly at pragmatic use in every-day life.  The exchange of talents, specialized know-how’s and good practices amongst Portuguese-speaking countries is therefore an important initiative to pursue, both in the cultural and academic fields.  The creation of the GEG Cultural & Academic Fund, in collaboration with the Portuguese Institute in the East (or Instituto Português do Oriente), will hopefully spur initiatives towards this goal.

The establishment of a “GEG Cultural & Academic Fund” is being conceived from which resources are to be deployed on projects anchored in three main public goals:

1. to create, curate and promote international artistic projects with a high degree of visibility and prestige, namely in the areas of fine arts, digital arts, music or contemporary applied arts, focusing on exchange and mobility programs with Portuguese artists and cultural agents of the Portuguese-speaking countries;
    
2. to deepen the relations between artists of the Portuguese-speaking countries and Macau, hoping to bring together creative and artistic experiences between these countries and incorporating a multiplying effect and impact in digital applied arts, leisure activities and creative industries for its residents; and
    
3. to promote Portuguese, as a foreign Language, in Portuguese-speaking countries aiming at specialized professionals in areas such as law, business, health and medicine, journalism or public administration while, at the same time, to help support grant programs to young people in Macau aiming to specialise in technological and scientific areas in Portugal.

The Foundation is honored to support the “Letras & Companhia”, or “Alphabets and Friends”, the literacy and cultural festival for parents and children, organized by IPOR, for the third consecutive year, aiming to encourage Portuguese language learning, and to promote the importance of reading, education and civic responsibility.

For the 2023 edition, the theme chosen is “Water - in All Shapes and Forms”, with a set of activities centered on this natural resource essential for the life of all living beings on Earth and of which we all depend to live.

Over the course of two weeks, families and educators will have storytelling sessions, art workshops, trainings, exhibitions, music, cinema, puppets’ shows, book launches, among other events to enjoy moments of relaxation and conviviality, learning the importance of making good use of this essential asset that is so important for everyone, stimulating a taste for books and reading and learning a little bit of the Portuguese language.

This year’s festival is organized by IPOR and the Consulate-General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong, funded by Galaxy Entertainment Group Foundation, and collaborated with SÍLABA - Associação Educativa e Literária, Livraria Júbilo 31, the theater group The Funny Old Tree Theater Ensemble, visual artist Tchusca Songo, Andreia Martins, a teacher of the Portuguese School of Macau, the singer Jandira Silva and SOMOS! – Portuguese Language Communication Association.

The program’s activities are free; pre-registrations are required for some activities.  For more details, please contact IPOR at:

• Website:  http://ipor.mo/letras-companhia/
• Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/IPOR.Macau
• Email:  letrascompanhia2023@gmail.com
• Phone:  2853 0227  

The Foundation funded IPOR in hosting its “Alphabets & Friends” Literary and Cultural Festival for the second consecutive year. Under the theme of “The Sea”, the Festival encompassed a host of intriguing events. Among which, a set of Portuguese publications was presented to local primary and secondary schools while the “Zero Waste” Exhibition was also organized to promote Portuguese learning in Macau, cultural exchange between the local community and Portuguese-speaking countries, and important messages about protecting the planet. Partnered with the Consulate General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong and the Orient Foundation, the Festival received strong support and participation from the Education and Youth Development Bureau and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macau SAR Government.

During the Festival’s “Mini Library” activity, a set of Portuguese books by young Portuguese authors and illustrators, along with their Chinese translations, were donated to nearly 40 primary and secondary schools in Macau. These books are suitable for children and adolescents and provide quality bilingual teaching material, so that teachers can use them to further motivate students’ interest in learning and understanding the Portuguese language, culture, and to broaden their horizons. Meanwhile, the Festival also featured the “Zero Waste” Exhibition, which was held at the Gallery of Orient Foundation. 10 art pieces created by local primary and secondary school students and students from IPOR’s Portuguese Workshops for Children and Youngsters using daily waste materials were showcased at the exhibition in hopes of educating the young generation to participate in environmental conservation, and to contribute to building a sustainable environment. 

Furthermore, the Festival also included creative writing workshops,  book fair, bilingual storytelling sessions in Portuguese and Chinese, music concerts, and arts performances. With the aim of promoting the Portuguese language and culture, the Festival attracted numerous families to participate and enjoy the parent-child moments amid the dynamic ambiance of Portuguese culture.

Ms. Patricia Ribeiro, member of the Board of IPOR said, “With the strong and active support from GEG Foundation, our important partner of the literary and cultural festival, we were able to promote and integrate Portuguese culture into the Macau community, elevate the interest of local youngsters in reading and studying Portuguese culture.”

“Letras & Companhia”, or “Alphabets & Friends”, was the first campaign directed by the Portuguese Institute of the Orient as part of the GEG Cultural & Academic Fund.  The literary and cultural festival, covering various cultural, arts and environmental protection activities, was successfully concluded in April 2021, receiving strong support and feedback from the participants.

The literary and cultural festival hosted activities such as puppet theatre shows, shadow show, exhibitions, cinema sessions, presentations of books, and thematic workshops.  Through these activities, the festival attracted more than 5,000 participants, promoted the Portuguese language, culture and literature to children and people of all age groups, and helped promote the integration of Macau’s Chinese and Portuguese communities.

One of the many events of the festival was “Read, Write and Tell”, a storytelling session conducted by a Chinese writer and a Portuguese writer, and a shadow show featuring the bilingual picture book “Na Rua”.  Both activities encouraged reading habits in young children while also introducing Portuguese authors and literature to the Macau community.  Moreover, with the support of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macau SAR Government, the literary and cultural festival joined hands with local schools and held related activities on 5 campuses.

In addition, one of the activities, the "Living Among What's Left Behind" exhibition was open to the public for free at the gallery of the Municipal Affairs Bureau of the Macau SAR Government.  The award-winning works of Portuguese photographer Mário Cruz were displayed with introductions in 3 languages including Chinese, English and Portuguese.  A sharing session of the exhibition was also held to discuss the integration of environmental protection in the education of young people in Macau, attracting many citizens to participate.

With the success of the first year festival, the Portuguese Institute of the Orient hopes to make it an annual event and to introduce it to a wider community in Macau.  It is also the Foundation’s wish to promote Portuguese language, cultures and arts, especially amongst young people in Macau.