The USJ International Cultural Carnival 2024, organised by the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) and sponsored by the Macao Foundation, will be held on Saturday, 20th of April, 2024, at the USJ Ilha Verde Campus. The USJ community of staff, students, alumni members from over 50 different nationalities, will set up over 30 booths offering a variety of traditional gastronomy, entertainment and cultural experiences. There will be an opening grand parade, information booths from various USJ faculties, campus tours, art exhibitions, a mini-market and coffee stations. The event is free and open to the public.
The aim of the carnival is to allow the public public to experience USJ’s multiculturalism, and at the same time, international students are expected to gain a deeper understanding of Macao’s local cultures and organisations through the Carnival, so as to promote cultural interactions and exchanges.
The opening ceremony of the carnival will take place at 12:30 pm on the main stage inside the Ilha Verde campus. Invited Guests of Honor included Chancellor of USJ and Bishop of Macao, Stephen Lee Bun-sang, Chief of the Youth Development Division of the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), Ms. Tam Sio Wa, Director of Department of Public Library Management of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (ICM), Mr. Lui Chi Pang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Dr. Danilo Afonso Henriques, Diplomatic Corps accredited in Macao, and representatives of local schools and associations.
Cultural Food and Academic Information Booths
There will be gastronomy booths that will showcase a variety of culinary delights from around the world. These booths will represent countries such as China, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, East Timor, Myanmar, and African nations, offering a taste of their unique flavors and enriching the public’s understanding of different cultures.
Beyond the cultural food tasting experience, the carnival will feature information booths and campus tours to provide participants with a deeper sense of the university life at USJ. The information booths will offer professional insights into various academic fields at our university, allowing the public to engage in face-to-face consultations with faculty members and learn about the latest news and relevant enrolment information. The campus tours will provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the university’s facilities and environment, immersing themselves in the campus atmosphere.
Coffee Space and Tie-Dye Workshop
In conjunction with the School Carnival and in honour of World Book Day on 423, the library will be transformed into a “Blues Book Café”, where librarians will teach participants about the Western technique of Cyanotype Printing and experience the Tie & Dye process, which is a form of botanical blue dyeing from Guizhou, China. Parents and children will be able to create unique handmade artefacts with their own creativity. In addition to the art workshops, the Library also offers interactive psychological workshops, which are designed to be fun and engaging experiences for the public, and a “Coffee Corner” where visitors can enjoy delicious beverages to relax and unwind.
Mini Markets and Art Performances
The mini markets will comprise of alumni handicrafts and DIY products, presenting unique natural and eco-friendly lifestyle products to the public, with a view to realising the concept of green living. At the same time, there will also be a short introduction of different associations for participants to understand the mission and activities of the association.
The performances will take place on the main stage, featuring traditional Chinese martial art of Wing Chun, as well as a guzheng performance, which is unique to the Chinese culture, traditional dance performances, and musical performances by USJ and local secondary school students for the audience’s enjoyment, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
