Poster for “Charm of the West Lake” Themed Public Library Book Exhibition, Macao Central Library,2025
In 2024, the “Exhibition of Donated Documents From Macao Public Library” was successfully held at Hangzhou Public Library to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to China, generating enthusiastic responses from both cities. To deepen mutual understanding and emotional ties between readers of the two locales, Macao Public Library, in collaboration with Hangzhou Public Library, launched the “Charm of the West Lake” themed public-library book exhibition. Under the guidance and support of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Hangzhou Municipal People’s Government , and the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, the exhibition opened at Patane Library in Macao on June 6 and ran until August 31. On September 5, it moved to Macao Central Library, where it will remain on view until December 28, 2025. This cultural feast offers local citizens an ideal destination to experience the distinctive appeal of Hangzhou and has swiftly become a popular “check-in” spot.
The displays are rich and varied. In addition to high-quality books donated by Hangzhou Public Library, the exhibition features postcards bearing heartfelt greetings from Hangzhou primary-school pupils, avid readers, and residents to their Macao compatriots, as well as West-Lake silk umbrellas handmade by Hangzhou schoolchildren—objects laden with commemorative significance. These items serve as emotional bridges between the two peoples, fully showcasing Hangzhou’s profound cultural heritage alongside its unique modern charisma while endowing the book exhibition with added warmth. An immersive journey of reading carries visitors across time to savour the West Lake’s millennium-old poetic grace and to experience the innovative, stylish spirit of present-day Hangzhou.
“Charm of the West Lake” Themed Public Library Book Exhibition at Patane Library, Macao
“Charm of the West Lake” Themed Public-library Book Exhibition at Macao Central Library
A selection of books on display
This exhibition is not only a landmark in the cooperation between the two libraries, but also a cultural dialogue with books as the medium. It is believed that books can transcend time and space, linking the cultural resonances of Macao and Hangzhou, enabling readers to appreciate the breadth and profundity of Chinese culture through the written word, and further strengthening cultural identity and confidence.
