CityU launches new book on cultural heritage tourism in Portuguese-speaking countries in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the inscription of the “Historic Centre of Macao” on the World Heritage List
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the inscription of the “Historic Centre of Macao” on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the City University of Macau (CityU) held a book launch yesterday for the new research publication “Boa Viagem! Turismo Cultural e do Património : Estudos Comparativos de Turismo Cultural e do Património sobre os Paises de Lingua Portuguesa” co-authored by a number of scholars. The event was held at the Taipa Campus.
Prof. Ip Kuai Peng, vice rector of CityU, pointed out that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the inscription of the “Historic Centre of Macao” on UNESCO’s World Heritage List; these cultural treasures are witnesses to the exchange and integration of Eastern and Western cultures, further enriching Macao’s cultural connotation as a “world center for tourism and leisure”. He suggested that Macao should continue enhancing its professional standards of cultural heritage preservation, protection, and utilization, as well as inheritance and innovation, and revitalize historical resources to promote dialogue and collaboration among civilizations. Meanwhile, Vice Rector Ip suggested that Macao can leverage its honor as the “Cultural City of East Asia” to expand its global network, promote cultural prosperity, heritage preservation, and mutual learning among civilizations, thereby fostering world peace and building a community with a shared future for mankind through culture.
In his overview of the book, Vice Rector Ip mentioned its emphasis on both theory and practice, stating that it not only examines the latest policies on cultural heritage preservation but also presents real-world cases from Portugal, Brazil and the Portuguese-speaking countries in Asia and Africa to delve into different types of world heritage, including historic centers, cultural landscapes, and agricultural heritage. He stated that this book holds significant academic value and meaning, providing readers with a cross-regional and multidimensional perspective while constructing a bridge for cultural exchange.
The chief editor, Associate Professor Leou Chia-Hsin, represented the team to introduce the book, noting that the title “Boa Viagem” means happy voyage and embarking on a trip, conveying the authors’ expectations for this publication. He expressed his hope that readers could gain an in-depth understanding of the cultures of Portuguese-speaking countries, promote mutual learning among the civilizations of China and the Lusophone world, and facilitate understanding of the culture and tourism of Lusophone countries and regions among Chinese readers.
During the launch event, co-authors of the new book spoke both in person and via video conference, sharing their insights from participating in the research. Executive Associate Dean Li Xi of the Faculty of International Tourism and Management of CityU stated that the book systematically reviews world heritage cases from Portuguese-speaking countries, covering diverse types such as historic centers and agricultural landscapes, which reflects Macao’s contribution to its strategic positioning as “one center, one platform”.
Professor Bao-Ning Yin from Taiwan University of Arts pointed out, from the perspective of cultural heritage preservation and revitalization, that the book’s in-depth exploration of world heritage cases from Portuguese-speaking countries serves as a mirror, reflecting Macao’s path in cultural heritage conservation. She mentioned the discussions on the protection of historic centers, revitalization of cultural landscapes and restoration of colonial architecture resonate with Macao’s endeavors over the past twenty years.
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Also in attendance were co-authors Lyu Chunhe, an alumnus of the Institute for Research on Portuguese-Speaking Countries, along with Yang Zhuo, Jiang Wenlan, and Cao Yuanyuan. They shared the challenges they faced in collecting information and resources, the gains they experienced while writing the book, and insights into the cultural tourism resources of China, the Portuguese-speaking countries, and Macao.
Source: Institute for Research on Portuguese-Speaking Countries
