SJM is fully committed to promoting cultural heritage preservation from bamboo noodles to drunken dragon performances and dragon boat races
8 June 2023 - SJM Resorts S.A. (“SJM”), deeply rooted in Macau, has been steadfast in its efforts to preserve cultural heritage, placing a strong focus on protecting and promoting intangible cultural heritage. Its recent series of initiatives include collaborating with “Wong Chi Kei” to promote the bamboo noodle at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau and Grand Lisboa Macau, deploying a volunteer team to fully back the “Drunken Dragon Festival”, as well as partnering with the Macao Sports Bureau and the China Macau Dragon Boat Association to organise the highly anticipated “2023 SJM Macao International Dragon Boat Races” scheduled to take place on 17, 18 and 22 June 2023.
The “Drunken Dragon Festival”, organised by the Macao Fish Trade General Association, took place on 26 May 2023, coinciding with the auspicious day of Buddha's birthday, in front of Kuan Tai Temple. This festival is a unique folk tradition exclusive to Macau and was listed on the “Macau Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage” in 2009. In 2011, it received official recognition and was included in the “National Intangible Cultural Heritage List”. SJM has been a longstanding supporter of this event as sponsor and participant. Its dedicated volunteers helped to distribute longevity rice, which symbolises blessings, in front of Kuan Tai Temple, thereby fostering a sense of care and creating a shared atmosphere of traditional festivities. Ms. Angela Leong, Director of SJM, and Dr. Rui Cunha, Secretary-General of SJM, attended the event to demonstrate support. In promotion of the event, SJM utilised its outdoor screens and back-of-house areas to showcase video footage to generate wider awareness. Furthermore, Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16, one of SJM's hotel properties, served as one of the stopovers for lion dance performances and the grand parade, captivating both local residents and visitors.
As June arrives with another traditional Chinese festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, SJM will host the “2023 SJM Macau International Dragon Boat Race” in collaboration with the Macao Sports Bureau and the China Macau Dragon Boat Association. SJM will field eight teams of elite male and female athletes. After a three-year hiatus, this international invitational tournament will make a glorious comeback at Nam Van Lake, promising a series of exciting races. Over the years, SJM has consistently taken part as an organiser, sponsor, and participant, working tirelessly to promote the continuous development of this intangible cultural heritage. SJM aims to leverage the synergistic effect of “sports + tourism” to attract more visitors to Macau and elevate its status as a “World Center of Tourism and Leisure”.
SJM actively propagates traditional Chinese culture, enriching the cultural and tourism experiences in Macau. By supporting the moderate diversification of Macau's economy, SJM also reinforces Macau's position as a “base” where Chinese culture thrives in harmonious coexistence with other cultures.