The “10th International Lion Dance Championship 2023 – MGM Cup” kicked off with an opening ceremony at the Barra Square in front of A-Ma Temple today. This year marks not only the contest’s scale upgrade, but also its debut around A-Ma Temple known as Macau’s heritage site. A strong line-up of 18 lion dance troupes from 12 countries and regions will make their moves and roars in the community – vying for the top accolades of the competition. The entire event will also be live-streamed via 18 global online channels, enabling audiences worldwide to experience a string of exhilarating matches instantly.

The opening ceremony was held this morning on October 6. It started with a celebrating parade, where all competing teams frisked along from A-Ma Transportation Hub to Barra Square, this year’s competition venue – sending blessings to residents and tourists alike. It was then officiated by a line-up of guests, including Cheang Kai Meng, representative of Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macau SAR and Vice-president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (ICM); Tian Xiaoping, Deputy Director General of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; Lau Cho Un, Vice President of the Macao Sports Bureau (ID); Jennifer Si Tou, Head of Tourism Product and Events Department of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO); Chan Weng Kit, Vice President of International Dragon and Lion Dance Federation and Chairman of Dragon & Lion Dance Federation of Asia; Choi Man Chi, Head of Division of Infant and Primary Education of the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ); Lam Mei Sio, Head of the Division of Civic education of the Department of Cultural and Recreational Affairs and Civic Education of the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM); Sit Kai Sin, Chief of Maritime Museum of the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA); Lu Yuedi, Vice President of Chinese Dragon and Lion Dance Sports Association; Wang Yu, Director of Secretariat of International Dragon and Lion Dance Federation; and Pansy Ho, Chairperson & Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited. Afterwards, the officiating guests performed an eye-dotting ceremony on MGM’s performing junior lion team, expressing auspicious blessings for this year's event.

Pansy Ho, Chairperson & Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, says, “As our flagship lion dance competition enters its 10th edition this year, we have upscaled the event to make Macau a key hub for international lion dance contests and a ‘cultural drawcard’ connecting to the world. The “10th International Lion Dance Championship 2023 – MGM Cup” represents a lead-off event of our Barra Revitalization Plan, as well as a notable annual cultural tourism festival. This year, we have integrated intangible heritage elements of both the Southern lion dance and A-Ma Temple to recreate lively scenes of Lingnan folk custom. The event enables the public to stroll around the Barra community to experience the contest and cultural activities, getting inspired by the charm of Macau’s historical heritage site and traditional lion dance culture. This demonstrates MGM’s innovations in cultural tourism, as we have transformed Lingnan folkway into the city’s spotlight, amplifying Macau’s international appeal as a diversified tourism city.”

MGM’s design team specifically devised a new prize trophy for this year's contest – with its carefully crafted sculpture modeling a lion's head – to establish a prestigious and distinguished symbol of honor in the lion dance realm across the world.

The first day of the contest commenced with the “Youth Traditional Lion Dance Championship”. It was followed by the most anticipated “Freestyle Lion Dance Championship”, in which the Lion Dance Champion was born among the 11 top international teams.

“The 10th International Lion Dance Championship 2023 – MGM Cup” is organized by MGM and Dragon & Lion Dance Federation of Asia, co-organized by Wushu General Association of Macau, with the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, ID, MGTO, DSEDJ, ICM, IAM, DSAMA and International Dragon and Lion Dance Federation as supporting unit, and Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association as advisory unit.

Meanwhile, the "MGM Lion Dance Festival" takes place in the Navy Yard No.2 and around the Porto-A-Ma area for 15 days from September 23. With the aim to champion both martial arts and craftmanship underpinning Lion Dance, the festival features a wealth of cultural happenings, including thematic exhibitions, outdoor installations, workshops, etc. A group of artisans from Foshan will stand as guest performers, demonstrating the production of lion dance handicrafts every day.

“The 10th International Lion Dance Championship 2023 – MGM Cup”
Next-day Event Schedule

###

About MGM

MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in the Greater China region. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai, which opened in early 2018 and more than doubles our presence in Macau. 

MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style. MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling. MGM MACAU’s world class facilities include the MGM Art Space, dedicating over 5,000 square feet to display authentic works of art, conference and event facilities, spa, and seven signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central.

MGM COTAI is the latest integrated resort of MGM in China. Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, it offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, Asia’s first dynamic theater, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings and food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. The Spectacle at MGM COTAI becomes the record holder of the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self-supporting) on January 19, 2019, making it the first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Macau, China. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM COTAI is the only mega complex and hotel in Macau to gain three-star certification in both Green Building Design and Operation Label, as well as the first hotel in the Greater Bay Area and second in Greater China to receive the certifications.

MGM China is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Park MGM. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:    

Jessie Kuan

Executive Director of Public Relations

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3412

Email: jessiekuan@mgm.mo

Karen Lam

Senior Corporate Relations Manager

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3421

Email: karenlam@mgm.mo