In celebration of the International Archives Day, the Historical Archives of Macao (HAM), under the auspices of Cultural Affairs Bureau, present the exhibition “Shanghai Portuguese Refugees in Macao (1937-1964)” and will hold related lectures from 10 June to 6 December 2015. The exhibition will be inaugurated on 9 June at 6:30pm at the Historical Archives of Macao on Tap Seac Square. A series of lectures on the theme is scheduled during the exhibition period. The first lecture will be held on 11 June at the Auditorium of the Cultural Affairs Bureau on Tap Seac Square from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

The mid 19^th century saw the beginning of Macanese emigration to different parts of the world, with major destinations being the cities of Hong Kong and Shanghai. Starting from 1937, due to the Japanese invasion of China, World War II, Chinese civil war and other factors, the Macanese were forced to leave Shanghai to seek shelter in Macao. Some of them later settled in Macao for good and others stayed in the enclave for some time before they continued their journey to North America (United States and Canada), Brazil, Portugal, Angola and Mozambique amongst other countries. The HAM hold a few thousand records related to the topic. This exhibition will showcase a selection of over one hundred records that illustrate the historical background of the Macanese Diaspora around the world, the social inclusion of the Macanese in Shanghai, the flight of Portuguese refugees to Macao and the aid they received in Macao. Also on display will be several documents and materials, including the personal items of one of the Shanghai Portuguese refugees, Clementina Fernandes.

A series of lectures on the theme is scheduled during the exhibition period. The first one will be given by Mr. Alfredo Gomes Dias, adjunct professor at the Lisbon College of Education, on the characteristics of Macanese emigration and the registration system, relief measures and living conditions of Portuguese refugees in Macao. The lecture will be conducted in Portuguese with simultaneous interpretation to Cantonese and will be held on 11 June at the Auditorium of the Cultural Affairs Bureau on Tap Seac Square from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Admission is free.

The exhibition "Shanghai Portuguese Refugees in Macao (1937-1964)" will be open daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm, except on Mondays and public holidays, at the Historical Archives of Macao located in Tap Seac Square. For enquiries, please visit the MHA official website at www.archives.gov.mo or call through tel. no. 2859 2919 during office hours.