*************************************************
Cantonese Opera Day, organised annually by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), was held today (November 30) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
More than 200 performers participated in a parade followed by an opening ceremony. Secretary for Home Affairs Mr Tsang Tak-sing, Deputy Director (Culture) of Leisure and Cultural Services Mr Chung Ling-hoi, 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 officiated.
Mr Tsang said at the ceremony that the cultural departments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau have obtained the support of the Central Government in September this year to apply to UNESCO to designate Cantonese opera as "intangible cultural heritage of humanity".
"Our focus for the foreseeable future will be on audience building and education. While we seek to expand the audience base, we also hope to raise the general public's appreciation of the art form, especially among the younger generation."
After the opening ceremony, the event began with an array of free programmes, including performances of Cantonese opera excerpts by children and young artists, autograph sessions by famous Cantonese opera stars, games stalls and a series of demonstration workshops.
Other events were also held at various LCSD venues 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 on an annual basis, it is hoped a broader audience base will be built to promote and preserve the genre for future generations. This year the departments agreed to promote this art form among children and young people, and the slogan for Hong Kong is "The Rising Stars of Cantonese Opera".
Ends/Sunday, November 30, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:07
NNNN
