Two historic milestones are being celebrated in Macao this year: the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). In a fitting tribute to both, the city’s Government Headquarters opened its doors to the public over two days in late October. Through allowing residents to explore the very halls where pivotal moments in Macao’s trajectory have unfolded, including the ceremony marking Macao’s return to the motherland, the government offered people a chance to engage directly with their city’s living history.
The 2024 Government Headquarters Open Day was held on 26 and 27 October, offering visitors a rare opportunity to take a leisurely tour of this iconic feat of architecture. Highlights of the Open Day included dance and musical performances by the Public Security Police Force Music Band and students from the Macao Conservatory of the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s School of Music and School of Dance.
The gardens and grounds of the Government Headquarters Protocol Building were adorned with exquisite floral arrangements and displays for the occasion. These created a range of landscape designs and a special ambience.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng personally greeted visitors at the Government Headquarters on the second day of the event, warmly conversing with the visitors present. He noted that holding the Government Headquarters Open Day in the year of the dual anniversaries was of special significance and he praised the commemorative flower exhibition displayed on the grounds.
Ho took the opportunity to engage with visitors, posing for photos with residents and tourists alike. The chief executive welcomed visitors to explore the rooms and halls of the historic building to deepen their understanding of the Government Headquarters, and expressed his hope that everyone could enjoy the happy time of the dual anniversaries.
Some residents told the Chief Executive that they were very happy to participate in the Open Day and felt that it had enhanced their connection with the government. Ho’s warm interactions with members of the public also stood testament to the strength of the Macao SAR Government’s relationship with residents.
A number of tourists said they purposefully chose to travel to Macao during the Government Headquarters Open Day; after seeing the pink building with their own eyes, they reflected that their trip was well worth it.
Built in 1849 by Macao-born architect José Agostinho Tomás de Aquino, the Government Headquarters was previously known as the “Palácio do Cercal” (Palace of Cercal) and is an example of the Pombaline architectural style. Characterised by simplicity and multifunctionality, the style can be found throughout Portuguese-speaking regions of the world.
