|
The flow of centuries has brought little light over this phenomena. In
fact, the Macanese singularity is much better written under the
heading of mystery then that of rational categories.
All nations have their narratives, some denser, others more extensive.
The Macanese nation, as the word is interpreted as a group, mixes
paths, disconcerts reason. In truth, it establishes an enigma, an
exception in time and space, it is one of those cases that arise from
a deviation of History, an accident, mathematically unexpected,
happened within the chemistry of peoples.
This singularity is nomadic. The Macanese condition is touched by its
errancy in the world, born four hundred odd years ago, a kind of
collective individualism that slashes the sense of community without
destroying it.
In its spell, the Macanese condition in the world is against a horizon
of contingency: everything is created, everything is lost.
The despise for quantity and the absence of measurement are
constitutive: How many? What do they produce? What are they worth? It
does not matter. The real measurement is based on immaterial
parameters, not well understood at all by western minds.
The Macanese “technology” resides, therefore, in its immense
creativity,
Starting from a very unique and individualistic interpretation of the
world, combining Theorems, Taoism and Christianity, Mystery and
Reason, the Macanese presence is made of artifacts that symbolize a
very peculiar and unique way to interpret the universe of Yin and
Yang.
In this body of nation – the real people – it is seen the
materialization of the most palpable asset of a legacy. To speak of
such is to speak about contemporary Macau, of talented Macanese, of
inter-cultural creativity, inevitably of António Conceição Júnior.
One city or country is grand when it knows how to celebrate its
greatest, admiring those who distinguish themselves in each
generation, identifying those who hover above the law of mediocrity.
António Conceição Júnior represents by himself the collective
personality of the Macanese, the nation plunged in the inner
complexity of one single Man, a supreme contingency of being and
living in the borders of history. In this man is allocated the
multiplicity of creativeness, a product of a multi-faceted
sensibility, of a one of a kind personality.
Endowed by a very unusual talent and supported by a vast culture that
was built on a quest over his complex origins and ample destinies,
António Conceição Júnior has reached the full maturity of the
philosopher who finds significance in everything, as well as of the
creator who sources beauty and ideas in the most insignificant things.
He is of the best that Macau has to offer the world, a kind of man
that any other nation, no matter how rich and powerful would not
disdain to accept in its own most sacred place. He is the Macanese in
the superlative.
António Conceição Júnior is an aristocrat of culture, a universal
citizen, that realizes in a most unique manner, the Macanese
singularity. He is a devotion to his city, to its history, to its
people.
This Man belongs to a special race of the Homo Creator i.e. the
Creative Man, a kind of men that were not made to imitate. His fief is
that of permanent unrest derived from a mind totally devoted to
creation. His dialogue with the world is always pioneering, made of
that kind of vigil that foretells productive eruption at any moment.
Elegant in doing and eloquent in speaking, his devotion to his
creative task is absolute, convoking devotion and plenitude.
To know the Artist is a privilege. To talk to the Man it is a
pleasure. To enjoy his Creativity is to participate in an act of
culture. To exchange ideas with the Person becomes a source of
inspiration. To share projects with the Dreamer is to find an
invigorating well of Hope. To observe and participate with his Family
is to understand strength.
I thank God for having allowed me to meet him.
I thank Macau the generosity of allowing to share this person, with me
and with the world.
I thank António Conceição Júnior everything he has given and taught
me.
His work will last throughout time, as a priceless gift from Macau to
the Heritage of Mankind.
September 13, 1998
Roberto Carneiro
Minister of Education of Portugal • 1987-1991
Secretary of State for Administration • 1981-1983
Secretary of State for Education • 1980-1981
CEO of TVI – Independent Television • 1992-1996
Unesco Member and Consultant
World Bank Consultant
Professor at the Portuguese Catholic University
President of the Macau Portuguese School |
