Hometown Carnival merges folk customs with innovation

The third Hometown Carnival concluded at Macao Fisherman's Wharf on Nov 8, bringing together folk heritage, local specialties and innovative tech experiences for residents and visitors in China's Macao Special Administrative Region.

Jointly organized by 83 local associations, the four-day event running from Nov 5 through Nov 8 featured more than 110 stalls presenting over 2,000 kinds of regional products and cultural displays from across China.

Chan Meng Kam, chairman of the carnival's organizing committee, said the event has grown from a simple idea launched in 2024 to offer Macao residents a taste of hometown flavors, adding that it has become a platform for cultural inheritance, showcasing the richness of China to people in Macao and presenting vibrant Chinese culture to the world via Macao.

The fair hosted an interactive Fujian heritage pavilion, featuring glove puppet shows, Dehua white porcelain paper-cutting, and the distinctive Xunpu floral-garland hair custom (also known as zanhua).

New participants at this year's carnival included overseas Chinese associations and those from Macao. One local youth group presented Macao cuisine and community publications to share Macao's unique cultural community with visitors.

Beyond food and folk art, the carnival set up a new tech zone, where attendees could try smart glasses and interact with robot dogs. A variety of stage performances were also scheduled each afternoon throughout the event.