The Policy Address for the fiscal year 2016 which Chief Executive Chui Sai On published in November reveals that the government will continue to support the development of the cultural and creative industries. Promoting local brands with the electronic magazine C2 is a part of this policy.
Since its first issue in January 2015, C2 has interviewed members of the cultural and creative industries - including those in film, design, music and the performing arts - in Macao every month. Among the interviewees are celebrities in the cultural and creative circles as well as up-and-coming talents of Macao. Successful stories from aboard have also been presented to readers. With its name incorporating ‘culture’ and ‘creativity’, C2 is published electronically. Printed versions are also available for download.
Lei Chin Pang, Senior Instructor of the Department of Communication, University of Macau, is the editor-in-chief of C2. He stated that while the local press do report cultural events they seldom analysed them from an industry perspective. ‘Macao has centred on gaming industry development in the past. Most media report cultural and creative issues as events held by community organisations. Nonetheless, cultural and creative events will barely find the paths to professionalism unless they integrate within the industry. Once this is attained, Macao’s industry structure could be diversified and provide another option for youths committed to the cultural and creative circles,’he said.
For example, the magazine interviewed Portuguese fashion designer Clara Brito and Macao fashion designer Robert Lai, assessing the present situation and solutions of the local fashion industry. They will also interview Chessman Entertainment & Production Co. Ltd. and 100 Plus Music Ltd. to assess the outlook of the popular music industry in Macao.
C2 has also invited experts in the cultural and creative industry from three places across the Strait to share their experience through blogs. As well as local author Joe Tang and filmmaker Ho Ka Cheng, former publisher of Lonely Planet (China series) Ye Xiaozhong - who is heavily experienced in publishing as well as cultural and creative activities in Mainland China and Asia - and Japanese specialist in culture and creativity Ron Lam , will participate in this project.
For a year, Lei has undertaken the duty of editor-in-chief of C2. However, as he is occupied this year, a board of editors will be established to share the tasks of the editor-in-chief. Published as a monthly, C2 will be converted to a bimonthly in future, and delve into the development of cultural and creative industries even more deeply. To reach this goal, a column titled ‘Opinion’ featuring industry insiders’ trend analysis will be introduced. ‘Brand Story’, which surveys the success of local cultural and creative brands, will be added, too.
‘Macao’s economic blossoming and being inscribed on the [UNESCO] World Heritage List in the recent decade have enhanced Macao residents’ identification with the locality. More people compose their works from a local perspective. The mission of C2 is to encourage these productions so that more people will care about the city and contemplate local issues,’ Lei remarked.
// Macau Creations is one of Macao’s cultural and creative brands.
