Latin City Parade starts rehearsals

The annual ‘Parade through Macao, Latin City’ starts rehearsals today, with nine performing groups from Macau, Mainland China and Spain practising at Border Gate Square, the Three Lamps District, Anim’Arte Nam Van and the Taipa Houses.
“We hope the rehearsal can [generate] more atmosphere in the city and attract visitors before the Parade actually starts,” the Chief of the Division of Recreational Activities of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Cheang Kai Meng, said during yesterday’s press conference.
This year’s event was budgeted at MOP15 million (US$1.9 million) – down MOP1 million year-on-year.
“The budget of this year’s event is still under control. We cut down on printing materials and we’re using multi-media such as videos to promote the event instead,” the Chief of the Department of Cultural Events of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Kent Ieong Chi Kin, explained.
Asked whether the event – running with Macao Light Festival on the same day on December 4 – would have a negative impact on the Parade, Mr. Ieong indicated that the Macao Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon is also happening on that day, pointing out that these events will together further promote Macau as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.
The Parade started in 2011 to celebrate the anniversary of the city’s handover to China.