To further strengthen education on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), promote the inheritance and development of Macao's ICH projects, raise public awareness of ICH safeguarding, and enhance the language logic, public speaking skills, and confidence of citizens, especially youth, the Macao Heritage Research and Creation Association is organizing the "Speak Well Macao, Safeguard Intangible Cultural Heritage" All-Macao Youth Speech Competition. The competition encourages young people to tell the stories of Macao's ICH through speeches, reinforcing their cultural identity as "Macao people" and empowering them to become a new force in ICH protection and transmission.

Competition Details

1. Eligibility

• Secondary School Group: Macao students enrolled in Form 1 to Form 6 (Grades 7-12) in a local Macao secondary school for the 2023/24 academic year.
• Open Group: Macao residents aged 12-35 who do not belong to the "Secondary School Group" and hold a valid Macao Resident Identity Card.

2. Awards

Awards are set for both the Secondary School and Open Groups:

• Champion: Certificate, cash prize (MOP 1,000), and gifts (value MOP 500), total value MOP 1,500.
• First Runner-up: Certificate, cash prize (MOP 500), and gifts (value MOP 500), total value MOP 1,000.
• Second Runner-up: Certificate, cash prize (MOP 300), and gifts (value MOP 500), total value MOP 800.
• Merit Award (2 winners): Certificate.
• Finalist Award (10 winners): Certificate.

3. Competition Format

• The competition consists of two stages: Preliminary and Final.
• The Preliminary round will be conducted by submitting a video.
• Based on the preliminary video evaluation, ten outstanding contestants from each group (Secondary School and Open) will be selected to advance to the Final.
• The Final will be conducted via live, on-site speeches. Details and rules will be explained at the Final briefing session.

4. Event Schedule

• Registration & Preliminary Video Submission: From now until October 31, 2023.
• Announcement of Finalists: November 11, 2023.
• Final Briefing Session: Evening of November 13, 2023.
• Final & Award Ceremony: Afternoon of November 19, 2023.

5. How to Participate

• Complete the online registration form: Click here to register now!!!.
• Registration and preliminary video submission occur simultaneously. Please provide a valid playback/download link for your preliminary speech video in the registration form during the registration period (from now until 23:59, October 31, 2023).

Preliminary Video Requirements:

• Duration: 1-3 minutes.
• The video title must include the participant's name and speech topic for identification.
• The speech topic must be related to a Macao ICH project. The script content must be original.
• Participants must deliver the speech standing up, without notes, in Cantonese or Mandarin.
• Each contestant may only submit one video for the preliminary round.
• Any video that cannot be played, contains non-original or plagiarized content, or violates the regulations will be considered invalid.

6. Final Judging Rules

• Theme: Speak Well Macao, Safeguard Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• Duration: Each contestant's speech is limited to three minutes.
• Venue: Youth Patriotic Education Base - Shenzhou Light and Shadow Hall (2nd Floor, Macao Handover Gifts Museum, No. 237-285 Avenida de Xian Xing Hai, Macao).
• Judging Criteria: Clear theme, typical examples, rigorous logic, clear articulation, body language, appropriate attire (these criteria apply to both preliminary and final rounds).
• Requirements:
  • Secondary School Group finalists must wear school uniforms and bring their ID card and student card for verification.
  • Open Group finalists must be neatly dressed and bring their ID card for verification.
• Finalists must prepare their own speech content, deliver it standing up without notes, in Cantonese or Mandarin.
• The script must be original and cannot be the same as or similar to the topic used in the preliminary video. The script must be submitted to the Association for confirmation on or before November 17, 2023.

7. Other Information

• Preliminary videos and the final will be recorded and may be used for online promotional purposes. By registering, participants agree to the organizer's use of photos or videos for non-profit purposes.
• The organizer will purchase insurance for finalists.

8. Contact Information

• Phone: (853) 6528 8622
• WeChat: LamKaKa_419
• Email: [email protected]
• Note: The organizer reserves the final right of interpretation for all matters related to this competition.

Organizers & Supporters

• Organizer: Macao Heritage Research and Creation Association
• Funding Unit: Cultural Development Fund of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government
• Venue Support: Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government