October 5 - “The 11th International Lion Dance Championship 2024 – MGM Cup” Kicks off Today

[October 5, Macau] In celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th Anniversary of Macao SAR, “The 11th International Lion Dance Championship 2024 – MGM Cup” - unveiled today (October 5) at the Barra Square in front of A-Ma Temple. A strong line-up of 21 lion dance troupes from 13 countries and regions, will compete for four contests, namely “Freestyle Lion Dance Championship”, “Women’s Traditional Lion Dance Championship”, “Youth Traditional Lion Dance Championship” and “Junior Traditional Lion Dance Championship”.

The opening ceremony started off with a Lion Dance Troupe Parade, where all competing troupes frisked along from A-Ma Transportation Hub to Barra Square - the competition venue - sending blessings along to residents and tourists. Officiating guests of the opening ceremony include Leong Wai Man, representative of Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR and Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC); Yin Rutao, Deputy Director of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Luís Gomes, President of the Sports Bureau(ID); Ricky Hoi, Acting Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO); Isabel Celeste Jorge, Member of the Administration Committee on Municipal Affairs of Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM); Leong I On, Head of Division of Secondary Education of Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ); Sit Kai Sin, Director of Maritime Museum of Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA); Chan Weng Kit, Chairman of Dragon & Lion Dance Federation of Asia and President of Wushu General Association of Macau (WGAM); Lu Yuedi, Vice President of Chinese Dragon and Lion Dance Sports Association (CDLDA) and Pansy Ho, Chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited.

Additionally, MGM has invited Macao Dragon and Lion Team and Shanghai Dragon Dance Team to present a splendid Dragon Dance Performance for the opening ceremony. These two teams have represented Macau and China and championed in international competitions such as Asian Dragon and Lion Dance Championship, World Lion Dance Championship and Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.

Pansy Ho, Chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, said, “Ever since the launch of this Championship 14 years ago, it has developed as one of the top three world-class Southern lion dance competitions, and is the only one with a female traditional lion dance championship. The international recognition of this year’s event has further expanded, with participants from 13 countries and regions, and more youth and female teams, underscoring the cross-cultural, cross-border, and cross-generational power of lion dance. This not only showcases the well-structured development of Lingnan lion dance culture among the younger generation in Macau, but also the fruition of MGM’s systematic promotion of lion dance over the years. In order to transform the competition into a unique cultural tourism experience, we are bringing traditional craftsmanship into the community, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the integration of Chinese and Western cultures. The event also helps to expand the international appeal of Lingnan lion dance culture, and thus further affirms Macau as a window to promote traditional Chinese culture to the world.”

On the first day of the event (October 5), the "Youth Traditional Lion Dance Championship" was held, where energetic youths showcased their outstanding lion dance skills. Right after, 13 local and international lion dance troupes competed fiercely in the “Freestyle Lion Dance Championship” for the champion of the year. Meanwhile on October 6, female and junior lion dance masters will also take to the stage to pursue the highest honors.

“The 11th International Lion Dance Championship 2024 – MGM Cup" is organized by MGM and Dragon & Lion Dance Federation of Asia, co-organized by WGAM, with the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, ID, DSEDJ, IC, MGTO, IAM, DSAMA, and the International Dragon and Lion Dance Federation as supporting units, and Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Sports Association as the advisory unit. This year’s competition will be live-streamed globally via MGM’s official Facebook page, the Facebook page and YouTube channel of long-shi.com, as well as 15 streaming platforms in the Mainland. Last year, the Championship has attracted over 3.3 million viewers both online and offline.

In addition to the thrilling competitions, MGM is hosting a series of lion dance-themed activities in the Barra District from October 2 to 6, featuring crossing performances by Foshan's renowned “Big Head Buddha” troupe and local stilt-walkers, as well as lion dance-themed workshops. Performances and workshops are free and welcome residents and tourists to join, in a bid to offer them a multi-dimensional experience of lion dance culture.

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“The 11th International Lion Dance

Championship 2024 – MGM Cup”
Next-day Event Schedule

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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.

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Jessie Kuan

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MGM

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Karen Lam

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