Thursday, August 28, 2003 was the date of the Grand Opening for the Center for Creative Industries (CCI). The celebration featured a day of ceremonies, performances, exhibition, food and fun. A large group of guests and artists were invited to come join the event.

At 11 in the morning, under the leadership of the President, the working team of the Center carried out the worshipping ceremony successfully so as to get blessings from God. Simultaneously, people were busy in setting up sound system for MC and DJ, performing final rehearsal for the forthcoming ceremonies, building marquee in outdoor area for the VIP guests, as well as some final installations for the Grand Opening in the afternoon.

The program started at 3 p.m. with the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony by the VIPs. Among invited VIPs included the Chief Executive of Macau S.A.R., Mr. Edmund Ho; the President of Institute of European Studies of Macau, Mr. Jose Luis de Sales Marques; the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms. Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan; the President of Civic & Municipal Affairs Bureau, Mr. Lau Si Io; the President of Macao Foundation, Mr. Victor Ng; and the Architect, Mr. Carlos Marreiros. The ceremony was then followed by the vivification of the lions, the Lion Dance Ceremony, and the burning of fire crackers. After the Lion Dance, the Chief Executive was invited to sign on the wall of the center and toast to the guests was made by President of IEEM Dr. Sales Marques. Memorial souvenirs were also bestowed to the VIPs as part of the dedication ceremony.

During the toast, Dr. Sales Marques emphasized that Creative Industries was a product of globalization and the information society. Macau, with all its cultural richness and diversity, was a potential breeding ground for Creative Industries. Hence, the establishment of the CCI was to play an important role in such endeavor by projecting Macau’s creative talents and their work in an international context.

When the ceremonies were finished, tour of the Center’s exhibits was offered to the guests with traditional Tea Ceremony and Magician Performance. Under the music environment hosted by a DJ, all the guests were having a good time in the cocktail party until the evening.

The CCI is opened to public Tuesday to Sunday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.