"Via Pulchritudinis: Macao's Catholic World Heritage"
Photo Exhibition
As a meeting point between China and the West, Macao has always had a unique charm in the Chinese-speaking lands and even in the world. The architectural styles, local customs, values, Catholic processions and devotions are seen in various places in Macao. Many of the Catholic churches are located in the “Historic Centre of Macao” and have been listed on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. These churches are not only precious cultural treasures, but also illustrate the integration of Catholicism with local culture, the result of more than 400 years of cultural exchanges between China and the West, and witnesses of the mission of the Catholic Church in the Far East.
The Associação Católica Cultural de Macau is honored to invite Macao photographer, António Leong, National Geographic Photo Contest Winner, to jointly present “Via Pulchritudinis: Macao’s Catholic World Heritage” photo exhibition and photo book. Through these photographs, readers can view the Cidade do Nome de Deus that has existed for more than four centuries, and experience the unique cultural charm of Macao derived from Catholic culture. We hope that this Via Pulchritudinis will ignite the true light in everyone's heart that leads to the encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.
This project is sponsored by the Cultural Development Fund of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government.
In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis mentioned Via Pulchritudinis (the “way of beauty”) several times. Proclaiming Christ means showing that to believe in and to follow Him is not only something good and true, but also something beautiful, capable of filling life with new splendor and profound joy, even in the midst of difficulties. Every expression of true beauty can thus be acknowledged as a path leading to an encounter with the Lord Jesus. Christianity from its earliest days has recognized the value of the arts and has made wise use of their varied language to express her unvarying message of salvation. The Church should encourage the use of the arts in evangelization, building on the treasures of the past, drawing upon the wide variety of contemporary expressions so as to transmit the faith in a new “language of parables” (Evangelii Gaudium 167).
Date
July 12, 2024 (Friday) to July 28, 2024 (Sunday)
Time
10:00 to 18:00
Venue
Rua Formosa No. 5, R/C, Macau
FREE Admission
António Leong
National Geographic International Photo Contest Winner
António Leong, a native of Macao, fell in love with photography since many years ago, capturing the unique Chinese and Western culture of this city through the lens. António started to share his photos on Facebook in 2012 and created the Facebook page Antonius Photoscript. Through this page, António not only has the opportunity to participate in a number of photo exhibitions promoting Macao tourism around the world, but also has had the honour to cooperate with different charity organisations and artists in various types of photography activities, serving as an instructor and a speaker to share his photography techniques and experience. In 2021, António and the Associação Católica Cultural de Macau jointly presented the “Discovering Everyday Beauty” Photo Exhibition, and was baptised as a Catholic on Easter in 2023.
【Exhibition】
2013 “Vibrant Colours of Macau” Photo Exhibition in Seoul, Korea. Organiser: Macao Government Tourism Office
2013 “Love ‧ Forever” Photo Exhibition in Macao, Organiser: The Macao Volunteers Association for Cultural Creativity and Arts
2014 “Experience Macau” Art Exhibition in Hong Kong & Paris, Organiser: Macao Government Tourism Office
2015 “Macau Attraction x LEGO® mini-figures” Photo Exhibition in Macao, Organiser: Macao Government Tourism Office
2016 “La Vie en Macau, Photography Exhibition by António Leong” in Macao, Organiser: Albergue SCM
2021 “Discovering Everyday Beauty” Photo Exhibition in Macao, Organiser: Associação Católica Cultural de Macau
【Awards】
2016 National Geographic International Photo Contest “Place”, 2nd Place
2018 National Geographic International Photo Contest “Mobile Photography”, 1st Place
2019 National Geographic International Photo Contest “OPPO Creativity Award”, Special Prize
2019 National Geographic International Photo Contest “People”, 2nd Place
2019 National Geographic International Photo Contest “Mobile Photography”, Honourable Mention
2019 National Geographic International Photo Contest “Photo Essay”, Honourable Mention
【Book】
2021 “Daily Impermanence”, Hall de Cultura
NEW BOOK RELEASE：
"Via Pulchritudinis: Macao's Catholic World Heritage"
｜Where To Buy｜
• ACCM at Rua Formosa N°. 2B R/C, Macao
• Livraria São Paulo, Macao
• Hong Kong Catholic Centre & Hong Kong Book Fair