Ancient sites in Macau don festive outfits for Spring Festival — Two-meter-tall galloping horse celebrates the New Year on the streets

Reported by You T-ruo / Compiled report

Experience the festive New Year atmosphere even in Macau during the holiday season. From now until February 16, 2014, The Cotai Strip Resorts presents the “Fortune Shines at The Cotai Strip” Lunar New Year celebration at the outdoor artificial lake area of The Venetian Macao. Highlights of the event include exquisitely decorated fiberglass horse sculptures, a 3D light projection show, a colorful carousel, a New Year archway, and a massive 40-ton peach blossom tree.


▲ Exquisitely decorated fiberglass horse sculpture. (Photo / Provided by organizer)
To celebrate the Year of the Horse, The Cotai Strip Resorts has partnered with the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of the Macau Special Administrative Region to support the local art event “Anno Equitum.” Thirty-eight local Macau artists have each designed their own horse sculptures—standing two meters tall—with unique New Year-themed decorations in their distinctive styles. These include horses adorned with red lace, painted with black-green patterns, covered in gold sequins and sparkling beads, as well as artworks featuring Macau cityscapes. From now until February 16, 18 of these vibrant and one-of-a-kind horse sculptures will be displayed in the outdoor artificial lake area, while another 20 will be placed at various locations across Macau.

 
▲ A 3D light projection show also named “Fortune Shines at The Cotai Strip,” enhanced with New Year elements. (Photo / Provided by organizer)
  
Another unmissable highlight of “Fortune Shines at The Cotai Strip” is the 3D light projection show, which also carries the New Year theme and shares the same name. From now until February 16, every evening from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the projections will be displayed on the exterior walls of The Venetian Macao every 30 minutes, taking audiences on an imaginative journey. This eye-catching visual spectacle will feature various festive-themed images, such as bidding farewell to the Year of the Snake and welcoming the Year of the Horse, as well as auspicious imagery like a shower of golden coins. Other exciting performances include LED-enhanced lion and dragon dances (from January 31 to February 9, every evening at 6:41 PM and 7:41 PM, each performance lasting 10 minutes), and the God of Fortune making appearances from January 31 to February 9 between 2:30 PM and 6:30 PM in the outdoor artificial lake area, handing out chocolate ingots symbolizing wealth and good luck to visitors.

In addition, a glittering New Year archway will welcome those coming to celebrate the New Year at The Cotai Strip Resorts. The site is also adorned with a shining wishing tree, features a real snow ice-skating rink, a 40-ton giant peach blossom tree, and a magnificent carousel. Visitors can also enjoy fortune-telling experiences and participate in lucky draws (prizes include admission to the ice-skating rink and carousel, among others), as well as enjoy interactive games and activities. Admission to each game is less than MOP 100, and all proceeds will be donated in full to the Macau branch of Orbis International, a global non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to blindness prevention. The Cotai Strip Resorts will become an unforgettable destination for both residents and travelers during the Lunar New Year.