The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) has just published an English-translated book entitled The Firecracker Industry in Taipa, allowing the public to have a deeper understanding of the history of the firecracker industry in Taipa. All interested parties are welcome to purchase the work.

The original Chinese version, published by IC in 2013, was written by Albert Lai Hung Kin, a famed scholar specialising in the history of Taipa. It is the first publication giving a comprehensive account of the historical development of the firecracker industry in Taipa, the rise and fall of the six firecracker factories and the manufacture of firecrackers, which is profoundly significant for the study of Macao’s industry, economic development and the people’s livelihood in Taipa in past times. Since its first edition, the book has been well received by readers and was therefore republished in 2014 and 2015. To give continuity to the culture of the traditional industry in Macao, IC has published the English version entitled The Firecracker Industry in Taipa, introducing the industry to interested readers both at home and abroad.

Born in Taipa, Albert Lai Hung Kin has been researching and collecting historical information and old photos of Taipa during his numerous visits to associated parties in Macao and Hong Kong over the past decade. With his three publications – Reminiscence of Old Taipa, The Firecracker Industry in Taipa and Yick Loong Fireworks Factory – he seeks to bring back the history and memories of old Taipa to the public.

The Firecracker Industry in Taipa, priced at MOP200, is available at the Public Information Centre, Macao Cultural Plaza, the Archives of Macao and the Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre. For details about other IC publications, please visit the official website at www.icm.gov.mo.