The opening ceremony of the 17th Macau A-Ma Cultural Tourism Festival. (Photo by Su Liang/hinews.cn)

On October 10th, the opening ceremony of the 17th Macau A-Ma Cultural Tourism Festival sponsored by the Goddess A-Ma Foundation of Macau and the People's Government of Hainan Province was held in the A-Ma Cultural Village of Macau.

At the ceremony, representatives from the temples and chambers of from Taiwan district and 28 countries along the Maritime Silk Road and more than 1,000 believers and guests from home and abroad gathered together. Along with the melodious music, the drum dance kicked off the event. Hainan folk song "Long Time No see", dance "Conquering the Ocean" and other performances with Hainan characteristics were performed excellently.

Yan Yanling, chairman of the Goddess A-Ma Foundation of Macau, said that the A-Ma culture has a history of more than 1,100 years and is a gem of the Chinese national culture. It is the common spiritual wealth of Chinese descent, and has become the bond between China and other parts of the world.

Hainan's featured cultural performances were unveiled at the Macau A-Ma Cultural Tourism Festival. (Photo by Su Liang/hinews.cn)

Fang Ping, a believer from Lingao County,Hainan Province, said: “This time I came to Macau to participate in the A-Ma Cultural Tourism Festival, and I have studied and felt the A-Ma culture in depth. After returning to Hainan, I will actively promote the A-Ma culture and develop the Hainan’s tourism culture. ”

It is informed that A-Ma is honored as a goddess of maritime protection, with nearly 300 million believers around the world. In 2009, A-Ma culture was listed in the world's intangible cultural heritage. Every year,on the Spring Festival, the Lunar March 23rd A-Ma's Birthday and the Lunar 9th,A-Ma Becoming Immortal Memorial Day, Macau will all hold celebrations.

During the A-Ma Cultural Tourism Festival, Hainan will further promote its culture by holding promotion conferences, cultural performances and special exhibitions to show the world the image of a beautiful new Hainan.