Macau casino operator Sands China Ltd recently released a new dual-language publication, “In Search of Its Roots – An Illustrated History of Rua das Estalagens,” highlighting what it says is the “fascinating past” of the historic Macau street and the “beauty of its legacy through the community’s collaborative efforts”.
“The book was compiled by a dedicated team of local professionals – from editing [material] and interviewing [people] to layout and illustrations,” stated the casino firm.
“With this publication, local residents and visitors will rediscover the gem of centuries-old shops and the cultural heritage of the street through legendary stories, broadening their understanding of the district’s transformation as well as its inhabitants, while witnessing Macau’s development as an international city,” it added.
According to a recent press release, the book has had recognition from the Macau government’s Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture, and been supported by the Cultural Affairs Bureau.
The publication was produced in partnership with: the Macau Artist Society, which served as publisher; Siguo Chen, the author of the book; illustrator Shirley Lu; and other contributors responsible for design, photographs, and printing.
As part of Sands China’s efforts to revitalise Rua das Estalagens, the company launched in April last year the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens. It seeks to achieve two goals: supporting the development of local businesses and boosting the neighbourhood’s economy.
Another of the group’s revitalisation projects for Rua das Estalagens was the “beautification of the shopfronts with imaginative designs that highlight the characteristics of the shops and resonate with the history of the street and the city”.
The announcement cited Leong Wai Man, president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, as saying: “Apart from the launch of the creative Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens, we are glad to see that Sands China has partnered with the Macau Artist Society to beautify the street and publish the book … in a thoughtful effort to broaden the discussion around its preservation and revitalisation to include its wider significance to society.”
Wilfred Wong Ying Wai, executive vice chairman of Sands China, observed in prepared remarks that Rua das Estalagens was “a microcosm of Macau itself, a place where a rich history meets a modern future”.
“The walls of its alleys have witnessed Macau’s transformation, and its stories and people are worthy of being remembered as they are the precious sources of Macau’s cultural heritage. Our dedicated effort to publish the book was made possible by joining hands with our local team to conduct interviews [at] historic shops, craft illustrations, and take photographs, among other work,” he stated.
Mr Wong added: “Through our collaboration with the Macau Artist Society to beautify the gates of the street’s historic shops, the artists have integrated the street’s characteristics into their work, preserving the city’s unique culture while introducing new elements to the district.”
