During the October school holidays in NSW, Macao will be in focus in a family-friendly, free open-air festival to be held in Chatswood Mall from Saturday, 12 October until Monday, 14 October.
The three-day festival – The Story of Macao – will be showcased on a large screen where the audience will have the chance to interact live. A dedicated kids zone will feature a roving magician and colourful face painting, and Macao’s popular tourism mascot, Mak Mak, will also be in attendance!
Traditional Chinese lion dancing, a UNESCO World Heritage game area and a special photography zone will also be featured over the three days – between 10am and 3pm – with plenty of spot prizes to be won.
“The festival marks the 20th Anniversary of Macao as a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, and what better way to celebrate than with a free festival for the family,” said Helen Wong, general manager of the Macao Government Tourism Office (Australia and New Zealand).
“In addition to the fun-filled events, much interest will centre on old Macao and its UNESCO World Heritage listing.
“The purpose of the festival will be to highlight the former Portuguese enclave’s five centuries of east-meets-west heritage and culture through interactive activities”
Macanese cuisine, Portuguese inspired recipes with ingredients from Africa, India, south-east Asia and China, is considered one of the world’s earliest forms of fusion food.
Following the free festival, the Macao Government Tourism Office has organised a mouth-watering month-long Taste of Macao food festival at both the House of Tony Restaurant within the North Ryde RSL and the District 8 Restaurant within the Cabra-Vale Diggers Club.
Highly acclaimed Macao chef Palmira Pena will fly in as a guest to present special cooking presentations and tastings of Macanese cuisine during the festival from 14 October 14 until 14 November.
Macao’s loveable mascot, Mak Mak
