In order to promote the application of the Maritime Silk Road to the UNESCO World Heritage Programme, to launch the UNESCO Memory of the World (MOW) documentary heritage protection and utilization plan for the cultural exchanges in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and spread Lingnan culture, “Maritime Silk Road·Memory of Two Cities -- The Imprint of Guangzhou and Macau in Guangzhou Thirteenth Hongs of Qing Dynasty” Picture Exhibition and Symposium was successfully held in City University of Macau on 20 April 2021.
At the opening ceremony, Dr. Zhou Wanlei, Vice Rector of City University of Macau, said in his welcome speech that Guangzhou and Macau belong to the Lingnan region and have the same roots. The two places have played an important role in maritime silk roads and foreign trade in history. Served as the bridge between the East and the West, Guangzhou and Macau share many common historical memories. He believes that it is of great significance for the two places to jointly hold this event on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of CityU. He also pointed out that the Sub-Committee on Education and Research of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme has established the world’s first Memory of the World Knowledge Centre at CityU, which aims to promote historical heritage, especially the research and education of literature and historical materials. The centre will be further cooperate with the institutions in Greater Bay Area, and promote the university's international links.
Mr. Yang Hanqing, Director of Counsellor’s Office of Guangdong Province People’s Government presented precious works (《冼玉清先生舊京春色卷》、《王恒馮傑伉儷捐贈通草畫》、《廣州彩瓷鑒賞》、和《華林禪寺五百羅漢雕像》) to the Memory of the World Knowledge Centre-Macau of CityU and were received by Vice Rector Dr. Zhou Wanlei.
A digital photo frame with innovative document restoration technology were also presented to the Memory of the World Knowledge Centre-Macau, which was received by Pro-Rector Dr. Wicky So.
Afterwards, a symposium on " Maritime Silk Road•Memory of Two Cities " was held in the International Conference Room (T320) of Tai Fung Building.
Experts and scholars discussed the historical origins of Macao and the Thirteenth Hongs, the development of the Memory of the World Programme, and cooperation projects. More than 40 people from Guangdong and Macao attended the symposium., including scholars and experts of cultural heritage conservation, school principals, teachers, libraries and archives, museums, and representatives of cultural associations.
The photo exhibition mainly covers five themes and a total of 233 pictures are selected, from collections of the Thirteenth Hongs Museum in Guangzhou, foreign paintings sold in the Qing Dynasty collected in major museums and art museums around the world, as well as historical materials of Macao’s Memory of the World. The exhibition shows the history of the Maritime Silk Road constructed by Guangzhou and Macau. The exhibition will last until May 7th. Welcome to visit the exhibition at Student Corner of City University of Macau.
Media Reports：
4/20 Macao Daily: ＂海上絲路．雙城憶＂圖片展研討會揭幕
4/20 Yangcheng Evening News: 又見十三行 | 走進澳門，共同喚醒＂世界記憶＂
4/21 Macao Daily: ＂海上絲路．雙城憶＂圖片展揭幕
4/21 Macau Times 展示穗澳共建海上絲路歷程 海上絲路•雙城憶圖片展城大揭幕