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A 70-member Hong Kong delegation is in Vancouver this week to promote cultural ties between Hong Kong and Canada in a five-day multi-faceted promotion entitled ¡§Hong Kong Cultural and Heritage Celebrations¡¨.
The large-scale event is presented by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada, in association with the Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and organised by the Canadian Cancer Society of British Columbia and Yukon (CCS). The Hong Kong Tourism Board is a major supporter of the Hong Kong celebrations.
The delegation of Wushu (martial arts) athletes and Cantonese opera performers is led by the former Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Ms Shelley Lee. Ms Lee, who is a keen promoter of Hong Kong¡¦s cultural activities, led the Hong Kong Wushu Union¡¦s performing team to Calgary about two years ago for a very successful goodwill visit.
The delegation includes 36 Cantonese opera artists and musicians, as well as 29 young and talented Wushu athletes who have won many medals in the Asian Games and international competitions, including Li Fai, a world renowned Tai Chi master with more than 18 years¡¦ experience in martial arts, and a recipient of the Tai Chi gold medal in the World Wushu Championships.
¡§It is our honour to have the largest ever Hong Kong cultural delegation to visit Vancouver, Canada¡¦s Pacific gateway, since 1992 when Festival Hong Kong was held in Canada,¡¨ HKETO Director Mr Bassanio So said at a press conference today (February 1, Vancouver time). ¡§The visit will not only help promote the traditional Cantonese opera and Wushu in the Chinese community here, it also strengthens the ties between Hong Kong and Canada, right after the fruitful visit of the Hong Kong¡¦s Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang to Vancouver late last year,¡¨ he said.
The Cantonese opera and Wushu performances at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts this Saturday and Sunday (February 4 and 5, Vancouver time) are the key components of the Hong Kong celebrations.
Mr So believed the two performances would bring the Vancouver audiences ¡§a fantastic experience. ¡§It¡¦ll let them have a glimpse of Hong Kong¡¦s colourful traditions that live on in the modern city, and show them a sophisticated fusion of culture as well as Hong Kong¡¦s dynamic prospects for the future.¡¨
Ms Lee described the Cantonese opera as ¡§one of the most popular operatic art forms¡¨ which had always played a ¡§bonding role¡¨ in an overseas Chinese community. ¡§The familiar tune of a Cantonese operatic song can always bring Chinese people together,¡¨ she said. ¡§The richly diverse repertory caters to all tastes.¡¨
The Cantonese opera troupe will perform two dazzling opera excerpts ¡V ¡§Chasing After Her Husband¡¨ from Di Qing and ¡§The Barracks¡¨ from The Unmatchable Pair ¡V to be led by three well-known Cantonese opera performers Chan Kim-sing, Wong Chi-kwan and Ng Chin-fung.
The young elite from the Wushu team, including Cheng Chung-hang, Chan Siu-kit, Ho Pak-kei and Law Sum-yin, will demonstrate the health enriching sports of martial arts to the Vancouver audience in their performances. The Wushu team¡¦s action-packed demonstration included Taichi (based on the Chinese philosophy of ¡§yin¡¨ and ¡§yang¡¨, and harmonisation), swordplay, spearplay, nine-section whip, ¡§flipping dragon with jumping tiger¡¨, eagle claw style boxing, drunken style boxing, mantis style boxing, and ¡§Xinyiquan¡¨ ¡V every movement of which is an exhibit of sensible combat application and aestheticism.
¡§The sport of Wushu, originating from China, aims to unite the Wushu communities and to promote the sport worldwide. The Hong Kong Wushu Team¡¦s achievement is outstanding as shown by the number of medals the members have won in the Asian and world Wushu Championships¡¨, Ms Lee said. ¡§We hope the performances will enhance Canadians¡¦ understanding of Cantonese Opera and the sport of Wushu, and cultivate a closer link between Canada and Hong Kong¡¨.
The gala performance will be held at the Centre in Vancouver on Saturday at 7.30pm, and a matinee will be held on Sunday at 2.30pm. The matinee is targeted at the younger population, and students will be invited to take part as a cultural exchange program.
A fascinating 32-panel photo exhibition entitled ¡§The Heritage of Hong Kong¡¨ will be opened tomorrow (February 2, Vancouver Time) at 4pm at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver. It will stay open until February 17. Presenting a glimpse of Hong Kong¡¦s heritage from the Neolithic Period, the Bronze Age, to the Qing Dynasty and the Hong Kong under British rule, the exhibition will help enhance Canadians¡¦ understanding of and interest in the history and culture of Hong Kong. The exhibition will show photographs of the Qing Dynasty ancestral hall in Sheung Wan; the former Kowloon British School in Tsim Sha Tsui; the stone steps at Duddell Street, etc. These relics represent Hong Kong's unique heritage -- a heritage that is appreciated in the context of its cultural affinity with South China and influences from the West.
In addition, the Hong Kong delegation also holds cultural exchange programs with the University of British Columbia, and Vancouver¡¦s Cantonese opera and martial arts groups.
Ends/Thursday, February 2, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:22
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