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"Cantonese Opera Day 2007", organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on November 25 (Sunday).
Since its inception in 2003, the event has been highly successful and popular, with thousands of people taking part in a wide variety of programmes each year.
After the opening ceremony at 12.45pm, "Cantonese Opera Day 2007" will start off with an array of free programmes including Cantonese opera performances, an open-top bus parade, autograph sessions by famous Cantonese opera stars, "Discovering The Cantonese Opera Heritage" exhibition, stage make-up and dressing-up, Cantonese Operatic Aria Karaoke and game stalls.
Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Mrs Carrie Yau, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Mr Thomas Chow, Chairman of the Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee Dr Stephen Chow Chun-kay, and Chairman of the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong Dr Liza Wang will officiate at the opening ceremony. More than 100 performers will participate in the ceremony and more than 20 youngsters wearing costumes will participate in the bus parade to bring the fun to the neighbourhoods.
Other events will be held at various LCSD venues, as well as in Guangdong and Macau, in support of Cantonese Opera Day.
To continue to develop the valuable vernacular art of Cantonese opera, the cultural departments of Guangdong, Macau and Hong Kong decided in 2003 that the last Sunday of November each year would be designated "Cantonese Opera Day". By holding this event annually, the organisers hope to build a broader audience base to promote and preserve the genre for future generations.
For enquiries about the event, call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp.
Ends/Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:21
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