Macau Festival Blends Theater and Archaeology for Students
The “Conta-me histórias” (Tell me stories) festival has returned to Macau, transforming local classrooms into hubs of heritage and imagination. Organized by Casa de Portugal in Macau, the event brings together a renowned Portuguese theater company and expert archaeologists to inspire students through the power of oral tradition and scientific discovery.
Theater Woven from Memory
At the heart of the festival is Trigo Limpo Teatro ACERT, a cultural association from Tondela, Portugal, currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. On Friday, the group will perform “Queres que te conte?” (Do you want me to tell you?) at the Portuguese School of Macau (EPM) auditorium.
Creator and performer Ilda Teixeira described the play as a visual metaphor for tradition. “The show is basically a loom, a winder, and balls of wool,” she told Lusa. The performance was built from old songs and stories gathered from elderly citizens and linen workers, aiming to bridge the gap between generations through the art of storytelling.
A second production, “O Bosque” (The Forest), will be staged at the University of Macau this Sunday. The play explores the physical memories of a city—its remaining trees, historic buildings, and unearthed coins. “We provide the raw material,” said actor Pedro Sousa, “but we want to leave seeds for younger and older people to talk to each other.”
Archaeology Beyond Gold and Dirt
Complementing the theatrical performances are interactive sessions led by Natalina Guerreiro and José Luís Monteiro from Cultural Heritage of Portugal. Their mission is to redefine what “treasure” means to the next generation.
Guerreiro, a specialist from the National Center for Nautical and Underwater Archaeology, uses the history of Portuguese shipwrecks to engage students. “For archaeology, treasure is not just gold,” she explained. “A ceramic fragment can often provide much more information about where it came from and the people who used it.”
Monteiro is introducing students to the “non-traditional” side of the field, showcasing how drones, aerial photography, and 3D modeling have revolutionized the profession. “There are situations where it is no longer even necessary to excavate because technology can identify what is in the ground,” he said. The ultimate goal, he emphasized, is to foster a deep-seated respect for all forms of cultural heritage.
A Global Reach
The festival, which runs until October 23, includes acting and music workshops at both EPM and the Luís Gonzaga Gomes Luso-Chinese School. This Macau residency is part of a broader international tour for Trigo Limpo ACERT; having already performed across Europe and South America, the company is scheduled to bring its productions to Guinea-Bissau in late November.
Image: Pexels – Uğurcan Özmen
