The month of June in Macau is rich in cultural events, such as the Dragon Boat Festival (Tung Ng), part of the intangible heritage, and the Lotus Flower Festival.
Alongside events and traditions, Macau’s diversity is also expressed through the celebration of Portugal Day, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities, with a pilgrimage that has been held since 1923, initiated by then-Governor of Macau, Rodrigo Rodrigues. Every year, at the Camões Garden, Portuguese-rooted institutions, Macanese associations, and schools in Macau continue to participate in the June 10 ceremony, placing flowers at the pedestal of the bust of Portugal’s greatest poet, Luís de Camões.
Students from the Macau Portuguese School, Luís Gonzaga Gomes Secondary School, and D. José da Costa Nunes Kindergarten take part in the pilgrimage, with performances, dances, and singing at the site.
The Portuguese flag-raising ceremony occurs before the pilgrimage, at the Consulate General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong, featuring performances by the Lusophone Scouts of Macau and the Public Security Police Band.
The celebrations, lasting a month, include a rich program called “June, Portugal Month,” featuring cultural, artistic, gastronomic, business, and academic/scientific activities, which often extend to Hong Kong through the Lusitano Club of Hong Kong.
We should not forget June 24, a day that does not only commemorate Saint John the Baptist, patron saint of Macau, nor should it be seen solely as a traditional Portuguese festival.
The day was extremely important, as it marked Macau’s victory against the attempted Dutch invasion in 1622. More than 400 years have passed since this victory, symbolized by a monument in Victory Garden, honoring the resistance of Macau’s population and heroes against foreign invaders. It was celebrated as City Day until 1999, and since 2007, the Saint John Festival continues to be celebrated in Macau (this year at the Fishermen’s Docks), organized by Portuguese-rooted associations.
The celebrations also extend worldwide through Macau Houses. Perhaps it is time for this festival, with its historical and cultural significance for Macau, to be included on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List and in Macau’s tourist calendar. Macau’s (multicultural) diversity continues to thrive and be present…
