THE PRACTICE OF PUBLIC HISTORY IN MACAO

Macao may be small in size, but historically, as a place where Eastern and Western cultures converge, its unique geographical location has made it an important part of world history since the Age of Discovery. It not only served as a trade transit point on the Maritime Silk Road during the Ming and Qing dynasties, but also as a bridgehead for early Sino-Western exchanges. In 2005, the Historic Centre of Macao, including 22 buildings and 8 squares, was inscribed on UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Although the number and scale of buildings are less extensive than in other projects of various countries, the Eastern and Western cultures that Macao has inherited and developed for hundreds of years have been integrated into the historic centre and then presented in the urban design, buildings, houses and lifestyles of different ethnic groups, which has important universal value. Furthermore, as a group of buildings and squares, it is dotted with historical traces of people’s lives, which together constitute the connotation of this World Heritage. The culture it carries needs further exploration and inheritance, so that local history can become more complete, to increase public understanding of this place, and thus make social and economic development more diversified. Public history is an important tool for accomplishing these objectives.
The concept of public history as a formal discipline originated in the United States in the 1970s. Historians were beginning to explore the way to make history more inclusive and connect more closely with the public. In 1976, the Public History Program was established at the University of California, Santa Barbara, marking the rise of public history as a discipline.
Macao’s historical research before the 20th century, was primarily outward-looking. Local studies only began to emerge in the mid-20th century, and then experienced three waves since 1980s in response to the signing of the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration. Whether in traditional academic fields or public research, topics and forms have become increasingly diverse, meeting the needs of Macao at different stages of development. In terms of historical education and outreach, with the implementation of cultural policies and the promotion of tourism diversification, various historical projects targeting different audiences, developed through various methods, and in diverse contexts have not only enhanced people’s historical awareness, but inspired further efforts to collect resources for research. Thus, there will be a virtuous cycle of preservation, interpretation, and presentation of history.
Although the term “public history” still has no universal definition internationally and is rarely mentioned in Macao, the city has hosted many relevant practical projects in recent years. This dissertation begins with the context of historical research and outreach in Macao, and by exploring some historical programmes reveals the forms of public history practiced in Macao. It reflects the changes in the content of research and promotion methods in Macao in recent years, applying the theory and practice of history to the public domain to promote popular understanding and participation in history. Also, it explores the significance of developing public history in Macao, including cultural heritage, local awareness and identity, educational enlightenment, and economic development. Finally, it explores the forms for further development of public history in Macao.