Sands China Extends “A Century of Iec Long Firecracker Factory in Radiance” Exhibition to Nov. 29 After Enthusiastic Response
Sands Gallery serves as an international cultural portal
Uniting government, business, and academic sectors to showcase Macao’s vibrant and diverse cultural charm
(Macao, Aug. 23, 2026) – Since Sands China established its permanent art space Sands Gallery in 2022, the gallery has consistently served as an international cultural portal, building a bridge to connect Macao’s arts and culture with the world. Launched this March, A Century of Iec Long Firecracker Factory in Radiance – An Exhibition on the Resonant History and Aesthetic Memory of Macao Firecrackers features rare archival materials, a rich curatorial narrative, and guided tours, enabling visitors to trace the century-long history and urban memories of Macao’s firecracker industry. It has earned high acclaim from local residents and international visitors alike.
In response to the positive public reception and to further deepen the revitalisation impact, the exhibition period will be extended for three months until Nov. 29, 2026. During the extension, new precious historical documents and firecracker artifacts – collected in person from various regions by curator Ung Vai Meng – will be added alongside a set of new interactive experiences. These additions will further enhance the exhibition experience and offer the public a more in-depth journey into Macao’s diverse heritage.
Widely Recognised by Local and International Audiences; Serving as an International Cultural Portal
With the Iec Long Firecracker Factory being Macao’s largest surviving firecracker industrial site and the most intact in the South China Sea region, its revitalisation represents both the preservation of industrial heritage and a concrete step towards sharing a century-old story.
Requiring over two years of preparation, the exhibition presents a multi-dimensional exploration of Macao’s firecracker heritage through history, craftsmanship, memory and aesthetics. The exhibition brings together more than 400 precious exhibits, including artifacts drawn from the collections of the Macao Museum, the Archives of Macao, and the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) Library, combined with oral histories, firecracker-making tools, trade receipts, original firecracker packaging labels, and century-old correspondence –– reimagining the industry’s golden era through art and telling the story of the city through the spirit of “Made in Macao.”
Firecrackers are an important cultural symbol of China and serve as a cultural drawcard connecting China with the world. Sands Gallery plays a pivotal role in using the exhibition as a bridge to foster exchange between Macao’s culture and the global community. Since its debut, the exhibition has drawn residents, schools, associations, and travellers from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, the United States, and Europe. It has also facilitated deep exchanges with descendants of firecracker factory families, international collectors, and cultural enthusiasts.
In March this year, Sands Gallery made its debut as an Associate Partner at Hong Kong’s international art event Art Central, bringing the craftsmanship and label aesthetic of Macao’s traditional firecracker culture to a broader international stage.
Newly Added Rare Artifacts and Interactive Experiences
The extended exhibition will feature several new elements among the content and collections. These include traditional firecracker-making tools collected by curator Prof. Ung Vai Meng during his field trips to Hunan and Jiangxi, China’s major firecracker production sites, as well as several rare original posters of the Po Sing Firecracker Factory.
Furthermore, several semi-finished products crafted according to traditional Macao firecracker techniques will be displayed, such as firecracker cakes, firecrackers in red, white and blue wrappers, and awls used in the firecracker-making process. Paired with process diagrams, these additions meticulously illustrate the exquisite skill and craftsmanship passed down through generations of Macao artisans.
Interactive upgrades on site include the Radiance Message Wall that displays reflections from global visitors recorded during the initial exhibition period and invites current visitors to write down their thoughts and feelings to add to the collective memory of Macao’s firecrackers. Additionally, the Radiance Label Collage Wall allows visitors to interactively create collages using traditional label patterns, enjoying the design aesthetics of historic firecracker labels in a fun, hands-on way.
Passing the Torch of Firecracker Culture
To bring this chapter of Macao’s history to a broader community, public guided tour services remain available every Wednesday and Friday at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., alongside private group bookings for schools and community associations. The service has received an enthusiastic response, attracting educational and social service organisations to visit and explore the historical contexts behind the artifacts.
At the same time, the MUST Library is hosting the parallel exhibition “Legacy of Time – An Exhibition of Historical Documents on Macao’s Firecracker Industry.” Centred on historical documents, it creates a synergistic effect with the main display at Sands Gallery, bringing firecracker history into campuses and local communities. This complementary exhibition will also be extended through Nov. 29, 2026.
A Century of Iec Long Firecracker Factory in Radiance – An Exhibition on the Resonant History and Aesthetic Memory of Macao Firecrackers represents a major initiative by Sands China in support of the Macao SAR government’s diversification development strategy, promoting the advancement of the city’s arts and culture while revitalising its historic districts. The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macao Government Tourism Office, with academic contributions from the Macao Museum, the Archives of Macao, and the Library and Faculty of Humanities and Arts of MUST.
Since first participating in the revitalisation of the Iec Long Firecracker Factory in 2023, Sands China has adhered to its philosophy of “Reshape. Rejuvenate. Reimagine” to launch multiple projects integrating culture and tourism. Looking ahead, the company will continue to invest resources and actively develop more diverse and expansive platforms for showcasing Macao’s heritage. By drawing on the revitalisation of history, the company seeks to unleash new possibilities for the historic district –– and thus continuously showcase Macao’s rich and diverse cultural appeal to the world and contribute to the city’s development towards a “Cultural Macao” and a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”
For more information, please visit https://en.sandsresortsmacao.com/sands-lifestyle/sands-art-gallery/iec-long-exhibition-2026.html.
Photo caption: Sands China is extending its exhibition “A Century of Iec Long Firecracker Factory in Radiance” to Nov. 29 after enthusiastic response. During the extension, the exhibition will be enriched with new precious historical documents and firecracker artifacts – collected in person from various regions by curator Ung Vai Meng – alongside new interactive experiences and guided tours. These additions will further enhance the exhibition experience and offer the public a more in-depth journey into Macao’s diverse heritage.