To promote Macau's rich cultures and attract more visitors from Europe, Macau Government Tourist Office led a team of lion and dragon dancers and martial art performers to take part in the Volvo Ocean Race and Lisbon's most popular event - the Popular Street Marching Parades.

MGTO was one of the port partners of the Lisbon leg in the Volvo Ocean Race, the biggest maritime adventure of modern times and the most complex competition of circumnavigation.  Lisbon was one of the stopovers among various legs and the boat fleet departed again from Lisbon on June 10th to Lorient (France), the next-to-last stopover of this nautical adventure.

The participation of Macau was highlighted with a stand in the exhibition area, which allowed its visitors to learn about what Macau has to offer as a popular tourist destination and its UNESCO listed World Heritage.  Macau also joined various exhibitions held on June 9th and 10th to promote Macau, with the performance by Dragon and Lion Dance and Martial Arts Group from Macau.

Macau also marked its presence in one of the most popular events of the Lisbon Festivities 2012, the Popular Street Marching Parades, which once again made its way down Avenida da Liberdade (central avenue in Lisbon), bringing colour, music, arches, balloons and lots of entertainment.

Commemorating its 80th anniversary, the Popular Street Marching Parades kicked off at 9pm on June 12th, the Saint Anthony's night.  22 typical Lisbon communities took part in this iconic event of Lisbon's popular culture, with the special participation of the Dragon and Lion Dance and Martial Arts Group of the Macau Lo Liang Athletic Association showcasing Macau's culture to wow the crowds.