MGM has transformed the historic Barra Slaughterhouse site into a hybrid space for creativity and collaboration, unveiling the “Barra Lucky Blessing Market” series event as a prelude to the Chinese New Year celebrations at Barra District. Featuring collaboration across Asia — including the Nation’s First-Class Museum - Prince Kung's Palace Museum, renowned Japanese illustrator Shinri Murakami, and local creative retail brand Bookand — this initiative allows MGM’s partners such as Bookand to freely integrate culture and art while conducting business at the former Barra Slaughterhouse site, fostering cross-sector synergy and innovation. In addition to the Blessing Market, MGM has organized a range of cultural-tourism activities at the district, with the aim to open up a brand-new CNY experience route blending tradition and modernity for locals and tourists.

MGM held an opening ceremony for the “Barra Lucky Blessing Market” earlier. Distinguished guests included Leong Wai Man, Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao SAR; Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macau Government Tourism Office; Chan Tze Wai, Deputy Director of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of Macao SAR; Zhu Wei, 4^th Class Researcher of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; Sit Kai Sin, Director of the Maritime Museum of the Marine and Water Bureau of Macao SAR; James Wong, Director of Bookand; renowned Japanese illustrator Shinri Murakami; Kenneth Feng, President and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited; and Catarina Lio, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing of MGM. The ceremony featured a live performance by the Macao Orchestra to boost the vibe of Chinese New Year. Besides, Shinri Murakami and 30 local students joined hands to create a mural at Barra District, further enriching the cultural vibrancy of the area.

Kenneth Feng, President and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, said: “Last year, MGM has held 14 events at Barra District with various partners to enhance the cultural-tourism experiences for visitors. This year, we expect to push the boundaries further by utilizing the former Barra Slaughterhouse site to create a hybrid space that encourages innovation, flexibility of the space, and different business models, thus offering a trendy lifestyle of history for the public. Looking ahead, MGM will continue to leverage the Barra District’s distinctiveness to meet the consumer needs of different generations, while elevating economic and cultural development.”

James Wong, Director of Bookand, said: “We are delighted to work with MGM for the first time. With its open and inclusive approach, we are able to combine our expertise in food and beverage, retail, and art to run this Blessing Market. Different parties have jointly rolled out a wide range of happenings in this creative space, including illustration exhibitions, artisan markets, and live concerts, in a bid to unlock the full potential of the former Barra Slaughter site. I hope this vibrant space will continue to evolve and promote sustainable development for local SMEs and the whole Barra District.”

Barra Lucky Blessing Market: Transforming Spaces for Creative Collaboration

The “Barra Lucky Blessing Market” combines Chinese intangible cultural heritage, modern illustrations, Weekend Market, and Music Festival innovatively to transform the former Barra Slaughter site into a space for creativity. Highlights include an exhibition of 22 New Year's paintings from the Prince Kung's Palace Museum and workshops inviting visitors to reinterpret these art pieces. In addition, MGM presents an exclusive “Printmaking Material Set” for guests to purchase, alongside a pop-up café by Bookand and the solo exhibition by Shinri Murakami. The Weekend Market including 35 SMEs showcases cultural, art, and pet-friendly products, while the Music Festival has live performances by popular bands and musicians from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

An Array of Festive Events at Barra District for Chinese New Year

Meanwhile, MGM has also organized a series of events to celebrate the Lunar New Year at Barra District, namely the family-friendly playground “ART-ZOO Splashes of Joy” World of Wonders, the exhibition “Zhang Yimou's Studio: Mastermind Behind Macau 2049”, and contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang’s AI model exhibition, “cAI™: Soul Scan”. Furthermore, coupons and Chinese New Year couplets will be distributed to visitors at the district. Visitors can also enjoy local culinary delights at the year-round Barra Kitchen, experiencing the district’s tradition and modernity.

During the festive period, the entire Barra District remains pet-friendly. Visitors are welcome to explore the area with their furry companions. For more information, please visit https://www.mgm.mo/.

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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 Greater China. 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. 

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. The POLY MGM MUSEUM spanning almost 2,000 square meters, is constructed in accordance with Chinese national standards for the exhibition of Grade-One cultural relics. MGM MACAU’s world class facilities also include 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.

Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, MGM COTAI offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings, food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience.  MGM has joined hands with renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou to set up the “Macau 2049” residency in MGM Theater. 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