‘Legacy of Time: An Exhibition of Historical Documents on Macau's Firecracker Industry”
Revisiting the splendid past through invaluable archives and packaging labels
(Macao, May 21, 2026)) – To promote the history and cultural traditions of Macao and foster an in-depth dialogue between archival records and craftsmanship, “Legacy of Time: An Exhibition of Historical Documents on Macau's Firecracker Industry” is being held at the Arts and Culture Gallery, 3/F, Block N, Library Building of the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) from April 15 to August 31, 2026. The exhibition is jointly organized by the MUST Library, the Faculty of Humanities and Arts of MUST, and Sands China Ltd. on the occasion of the university’s 26th anniversary.
This exhibition is the third in a series dedicated to the firecracker industry, following “A Century of Iec Long Firecracker Factory in Radiance” and “Historical Resonance.” The first recalls the industry's glorious century through visual wonders and local memories, while the second has traced the vibrant evolution of firecracker packaging labels, revealing the interplay between craftsmanship and everyday life. “Legacy of Time” takes a fresh approach through “archival papers” and “miniature labels” and examines the industrial story behind historical documents, records, and packaging labels from a more scholarly perspective, transforming the fiery splendor of a bygone century into a cultural asset worthy of study and preservation.
The firecracker industry was once a pillar of modern Macao's economy. From the late 19th century to the 1980s, firecracker production and exports sustained the city's industrial system, while the industry was also deeply embedded in festive customs, cross-border trade, maritime transport between Hong Kong and Macao, and the culture of commercial printing and design. This exhibition unfolds along two parallel narrative threads, “Fireworks in the Archives” and “Splendor in Miniature,” and features approximately 100 archival business documents and 500 Yueh Tung fireworks packaging labels, fully illustrating the industry's trajectory from the factory floor to visual trends over time.
Zone 1 “Fireworks in the Archives” focuses on historical documents from Macao's firecracker industry, featuring the MUST Library's collection of original archival materials from Iec Long Firecracker Factory and related businesses in three sections: “Production Operations and Material Supply,” “Daily Operations and Procurement,” and “Transportation, Packaging, and Shipping.” The seemingly ordinary paper records such as telegrams, payroll records, purchase documents, and shipping receipts offer visitors a glimpse into the meticulous operations along the chain of “procurement—production—shipping—settlement” as well as the orderly and frequent shipping coordination between Macao and Hong Kong.
Zone 2 “Splendor in Miniature” presents a rich selection of Guangdong fireworks labels by nine themes: early designs, myths and legends, ladies and fashion, everyday life and festivals, landscapes and scenery, animals and birds, Western-inspired motifs, entertainment and adventure, and military and technology. Within each themed display case, the works are arranged from right to left, starting with Macao and Hong Kong and followed by other Greater Bay Area cities such as Guangzhou, Dongguan, Foshan, and Zhanjiang. This layout enables visitors to compare stylistic differences and printing characteristics across the cities and witness how folk beliefs, festive imagination, and commercial competition were translated into a distinctive visual language for commodities.
With sincere gratitude, Sands China acknowledged the generous support of Prof. Ung Vai Meng, Mr. Albert Lai Hung Kin, and the U.S. collectors Michael McHenry, Jeff Staton, and Andrew S. Cahan for their loans and contributions of exhibits. This exhibition is an extended thematic project of “A Century of Iec Long Firecracker Factory in Radiance – An Exhibition on the Resonant History and Aesthetic Memory of Macao Firecrackers” organized by Sands China, on display now until Aug. 31 at Sands Gallery, 6/F, The Grand Suites at Four Seasons Hotel Macao.
As part of its public cultural responsibility, the MUST Library has long been committed to revitalizing its collections and promoting the dissemination of knowledge. Members of the public, MUST faculty and students, and researchers are all welcome to visit the Arts and Culture Gallery, 3/F, Block N, Library Building of MUST, to browse the echoes of an industry from decades ago among the archival papers and packaging labels.
Photo caption: Representatives of the organizers and members of the curatorial team pose for a group photo at ‘Legacy of Time: An Exhibition of Historical Documents on Macau's Firecracker Industry’ on May 21.
Left to right: Marjorie Meng, member of the Special Collection Team of Macau University of Science and Technology Library; Guan Haowen, PhD candidate and member of the PhD Academic Team of MUST; Huang Sheng, PhD candidate and member of the PhD Academic Team of MUST; Ung Vai Meng, Distinguished Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at MUST and exhibition curator; Xiao Long, University Librarian of MUST Library; Catherine Kong, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Community Affairs for Sands China Ltd.; Ni Junming, Senior Librarian of the Special Collection Team of MUST Library; Josie Ho, Associate Director of Special Projects - Corporate Communications and Community Affairs for Sands China Ltd.
