Committed to the inheritance and popularization of lion dance and to enhance the younger generation’s interest in traditional Chinese culture, MGM organized the “Lingnan Lion Dance Exchange Tour” to Foshan - the cradleland of the lion dance, with 120 participants of young lion dance masters and their parents from the “MGM Lion Dance Training Program”. During the two-day visit, the delegation participated in in-depth exchange with various Foshan lion dance teams and learned about the craftsmanship of lion heads and drums of lion dance. They also visited Foshan’s cultural and historical landmarks including Liang’s Garden and the Ancestral Temple to help them gain a deep understanding of lion dance culture from its roots.

Catarina Lio, Chairman of  “The 11^th International Lion Dance Championship 2024 – MGM Cup” Organizing Committee and Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing of MGM, said, “As we believe that the inheritance of culture requires vitality, MGM brings our young lion dance masters to Foshan not only to help them understand the lion dance culture and the artistic spirit behind it from its origin, but also enabling the young generation’s innovation in cultural inheritance through the cultural differences between Macau and Foshan. This exchange tour also visited training bases as well as lion dance props factory, offering a different perspective for Macau youth to deepen their knowledge of lion dance and more importantly, to increase their sense of Chinese cultural identity.”

Deng Weijie, President of the Foshan Lion and Dragon Sports Association, said: “We are delighted that MGM has great respect of traditional Chinese culture, which facilitates this in-depth exchange between the two regions in culture, craftsmanship, skills, as well as the inheritance and development of lion dance. In my opinion, Macau could learn from Foshan’s experience in introducing lion dance into schools. Some schools make lion dance as a distinctive course featuring the teaching of lion dance skills, cultural inheritance, and cultural creation. As the younger generation will be responsible for cultural inheritance in the future, early promotion in schools will surely help in the popularity of lion dance as well as the passing on from generation to generation.”

Organized by MGM and co-organized by Wushu General Association of Macau (WGAM), the “Lingnan Lion Dance Exchange Tour” visited Liantang Lion Dance Training Base in Foshan for exchange activities with the local lion dance team. Representatives from Macau and Foshan including Catarina Lio, Chairman of  “The 11^th International Lion Dance Championship 2024 – MGM Cup” Organizing Committee and Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing of MGM; Deng Weijie, President of Foshan Dragon and Lion Dance Sports Association; Mak Chi Leong, Representative of WGAM’s Lion Dance Promotion Unit and the Fourth-generation Master of Sar Ping (Lui Pai) Lion Arts; Alison Wong, Member of the Women's team of MGM Golden Lion Troupe A and Yu Jiajing, First-level PE and Health Teacher of Foshan Chancheng Zhangcha Middle School and First-level Lion Dance Referee and Coach, shared their thoughts on lion dance’s inheritance, cultivation and future development.  One discussion topic was that even though the lion dance of both regions shares the same roots, there are differences in routines and customs when developed over time. In response to this topic, the two lion dance teams showcased impressive performances, highlighting their unique characteristics and provided an extravaganza for the audiences.

While lion dance has a long and rich history, the craftsmanship behind its props also deserves wider recognition. Therefore, the participants visited Liangsheng Company, a factory producing lion dance props with intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship. Guided by Guo Minxian from the factory, they appreciated the four steps of lion head production – “weaving, padding, writing, and assembling” - as well as the production of lion drums. Craftsmen from this company were invited to Macau last year to demonstrate their skills during the “MGM Lion Dance Festival”, and this visit strengthened the cultural ties between Macau and Foshan. The delegation also went to Foshan’s historical sites including Liang's Garden and the Ancestral Temple and enjoyed a wonderful performance presented by a local association.

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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