A Ground-breaking Exhibition Showcasing the City’s Cultural Heritage
SJM Resorts, S.A. (“SJM") is deeply rooted in Macau, dedicated to preserving its rich historical legacy while fostering a vibrant, multicultural landscape. Guided by the principle of “Serving Macau, Contributing to the Nation, and Connecting with the World," SJM has committed to creating a permanent artistic and cultural hub at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau—the Grand Lisboa Palace Art Gallery. This new creative space is set to propel the development of Macau’s cultural scene and celebrate contemporary artistic expression.
The grand opening ceremony of the Gallery was held today at Grand Lisboa Palace, officiated by Mr. Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Ms. Bai Bing, Deputy Director of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr. Chui Sai Cheong, Vice President of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR, Mr. Alexandre José dos Reis LEITÃO, Consul-General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong, Ms. Kuok Mio U, Head of the Department of Performing Arts Development of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Ms. Daniela de Souza Fão, Head of Administration and Finance Department of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, Ms. Pansy Ho, Director of Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, S.A., and Mr. Timothy Fok, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SJM.
The event was also graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including representatives from the Macao SAR Government, members of the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly, Macau delegates of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, as well as representatives from the arts and culture sector, chambers of commerce, tourism industry, and the press.
Situated on the Level 2 of Grand Lisboa Palace, the Grand Lisboa Palace Art Gallery makes its debut with the inaugural exhibition, “The Lisboa, Stories of Macau." This exhibition pays tribute to Macau’s rich cultural tapestry, shaped by centuries of East-West exchange since the Ming and Qing dynasties. The exhibition delves into the city’s historical landmarks, folk traditions, urban narratives, personal stories, and interactive experiences, offering visitors an immersive journey through over 500 years of history and cultural fusion.
Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, remarked, “The Grand Lisboa Palace Art Gallery embodies SJM’s commitment to ‘Shaping Tourism with Cultural Activities, Promoting Culture Through Tourism.’ Through the inaugural exhibition ‘The Lisboa, Stories of Macau,’ we have created an inclusive cultural platform that nurtures Macau’s soft power and strengthens public connection to the city’s heritage—telling Macau’s story through our voices. The Gallery also brings together local creative talent to advance more diverse and high-quality developments in the cultural creative landscape."
Human-Centred Narratives: Telling the Stories of Macau
With a focus on the people, landmarks, and cultural history that define Macau, “The Lisboa, Stories of Macau" masterfully integrates diverse, innovative elements to present a dynamic and multidimensional portrait of the city. The exhibition features compelling narratives from a wide spectrum of individuals—including entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, seafaring merchants, rickshaw drivers, hotel staff, and students—who share their personal experiences of Macau’s evolution. Through an array of mediums such as scale models, virtual projections, simulated streetscapes, and rare artifacts, visitors can step into different eras of Macau’s storied past. The exhibition also employs interactive technologies, including motion-sensitive projections, digital screenings, interactive games, and AI-powered voice recognition, enabling guests to engage in meaningful dialogue with historical figures. Seamlessly blending heritage with technology, the exhibition presents a captivating journey through Macau’s transformation while highlighting the warmth and humanity of its people.
Exploring the City’s Past and Present
The exhibition begins with a five-minute, 180-degree panoramic film which traces Macau’s historical trajectory—from its origins as one of China’s earliest trading ports in the Ming dynasty to its time as an international commercial hub under Portuguese administration and its flourishing development following its return to Motherland. The film is interwoven with the imagery of the dragon, symbolising the spirit of the “descendants of the dragon" in Macau.
Upon entering the main exhibition hall, visitors are greeted by a splendid wood-crafted golden dragon boat. This artifact highlights Macau’s culture and history, with the story of its past embodying the maritime culture, folk beliefs, and extraordinary legends of the city. Visitors are then guided through eight thematic zones, each representing a different facet of Macau’s past, present, and future: the Kun Iam Temple, showcasing Lingnan cultural heritage; Hotel Lisboa Macau, capturing its golden era; Dom Pedro V Theatre, embodying the fusion of Chinese and Western artistic traditions; Tap Seac, reflecting the warmth of community life; the Ruins of St. Paul’s, symbolising Macau’s glorious history; the Casa Garden, illustrating international cultural exchanges; A-Ma Temple, echoing centuries of devotion; and San Ma Lo, depicting the city’s bustling energy. Each exhibit is centred around individual narratives, enriched with multimedia and interactive displays that bring different aspects of Macau to life.
Additionally, an interactive floor map within the main exhibition area unveils insights into more than 30 of Macau’s iconic landmarks and 50 fascinating, lesser-known historical anecdotes, inviting visitors to scan and uncover the city’s multifaceted cultural charm.
Rare Treasures in “The Lisboa Collection"
“The Lisboa Collection," an ongoing space at the Grand Lisboa Palace Art Gallery, will present a series of themed exhibitions. The inaugural exhibition, “Chinese Treasure: Qing Dynasty Court Art," showcases highlights from the collections of SJM and Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, S.A. (“STDM"). Exquisite examples of the Qing dynasty craftsmanship are on display, including an imperial lacquered throne of Emperor Kangxi, a finely glazed eggshell porcelain bowl, and an intricately carved jade censer. These masterpieces offer a glimpse into the splendour of Qing dynasty artistry and ancient Chinese culture. The dragon, a symbol of Chinese heritage, is a recurring motif throughout the exhibition, culminating in a breath-taking finale of the “The Lisboa, Stories of Macau."
Cultural Souvenirs and Artistic Collaborations
The Grand Lisboa Palace Art Gallery includes a souvenir shop showcasing an array of Macau-themed design products in collaboration with local artists and exclusive items from local independent creative brands, enabling visitors to bring home a piece of Macau’s cultural memory. Adding a rich cultural dimension to your visit, the shop features a specially curated range of contemporary art volumes from globally renowned art publisher TASCHEN, spanning the fields of visual art, design, fashion, architecture, pop culture, lifestyle, and travel.
Additionally, the Gallery includes a dedicated art and creative space that will be open to artists and cultural organisations worldwide, hosting diverse exhibitions and artistic programmes. This space will serve as a vital platform for local cultural education and artistic development, providing opportunities for artists to showcase their work and engage in cross-cultural exchanges.
Through its immersive storytelling and innovative curation, “The Lisboa, Stories of Macau" presents a vivid and engaging portrayal of Macau’s cultural evolution, allowing visitors to experience its rich heritage from multiple perspectives. The exhibition fosters a deeper connection between residents and their hometown’s cultural heritage while inspiring the younger generation to take pride in and carry forward its traditions. It also serves to amplify Macau’s cultural soft power and facilitate meaningful international exchange, aligning with China’s broader efforts to promote cultural confidence and building up the nation’s cultural strength.
Exhibition Details
“The Lisboa, Stories of Macau"
Venue: Grand Lisboa Palace Art Gallery (Shop 213, Level 2, Grand Lisboa Palace) Opening Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (last admission time at 6:00 p.m.) Admission: Free
Contact: (853) 8881 0715
Reservation: https://art.sjmresorts.com/en/exhibitions-and-events/the-lisboa-stories-of- macau
