Marco Carvalho
This year, the Catholic Diocese of Macau is thrilled to announce a contest inviting artists, musicians, and creative individuals to contribute their talents for the upcoming anniversary celebration in 2026. This event not only marks a significant moment in the diocese’s history but also aims to strengthen community bonds through shared creativity and expression.
Celebrating a Rich History
The Diocese of Macau has been a beacon of faith and service for over 450 years, touching countless lives through its dedication to spiritual growth, charitable works, and community support. The anniversary celebration provides an opportunity to reflect on this rich history while looking forward to the future. Consequently, the Diocesan Curia has tasked the Cardinal Newman Center for Culture and Performing Arts with organizing the two competitions that will define the official anthem and logo of the commemorations of the creation of the oldest episcopal see in East Asia.
Contest Overview
Candidate entries should be submitted to the Newman Culture Center, based in Calçada da Vitória, by April 3, 2025. The works will then be the subject of a pre-selection process, conducted by a jury made up of five priests and musicians responsible for Eucharistic animation in the different parishes of Macau. Among the criteria that will be evaluated by the panel of judges are the originality of the works, but also the quality, coherence and adequacy of the proposals to the motto “The Mirror of the Sea Reflects the Universal Propagation of the Gospel”, the motto chosen by the diocese of Macau for the celebrations of its 450th anniversary.
Theme Song
In the case of the contest that will define the anthem of the celebrations, the proposed themes must include music and lyrics and reflect the spirit of service of the Catholic Church and the way in which the face of God is made known in Macao. Although the competition aims to choose a musical record in “Pop” style, the proposals must be religious in nature and not exceed five minutes in length. The songs submitted to the competition must privilege Cantonese as the main language, and participants may add elements in Portuguese or English.
In addition to documents with the lyrics and score of the songs, candidates will also have to submit an audio file in MP3 format.
Prizes and Recognition
The winning entry will be awarded with a cash prize of five thousand patacas and will be used in the commemorative events of the Diocese. The author of the second most voted song receives four thousand patacas and the theme ranked third receives three thousand.
The amounts are similar to those that the Diocese will distribute to the best works produced within the scope of the “logp design” competition, to determine the brand image of the event. As with the competition that will chose the official anthem, the contest is open only to Macau residents. In addition to expressing Catholic values, the proposed works must promote culture and faith, as well as privilege the cohesion of the different Catholic communities that have the territory as their home.
This contest not only offers a unique opportunity for creative expression but also invites the community to come together in celebration of a shared faith and history. As the Diocese of Macau prepares for this significant milestone, it looks forward to the vibrant contributions of its members and the joyous celebration that awaits. Join us in this exciting endeavor, and let your creativity shine as we honor the past and embrace the future together.
The winning entries will be announced on June 29. The names of the authors will be published on the website of the Diocese of Macau and on the website of O CLARIM on the Internet.
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