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"Cantonese Opera Day 2009", organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will be held at the Concert Hall, foyer and piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on November 29 (Sunday).
Since its inception in 2003, the event has been highly successful, with thousands of people taking part in a wide variety of programmes each year.
Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Mrs Betty Fung, renowned Cantonese opera maestro Lam Ka-sing and Chairman of the Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee Dr Stephen Chow will officiate at the opening ceremony at 12.30pm at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
An array of free programmes will follow, including performances of Cantonese operatic songs by renowned artists and Cantonese opera excerpts by young talent, young people and children, autograph sessions by famous Cantonese opera artists, a "Discovering the Cantonese Opera Heritage" exhibition and games stalls. A series of interactive workshops for stage make-up, costumes, stylised movements and postures, vocalisation and musical instruments and talks will also be held.
As well as the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, there will be numerous Cantonese opera activities and programmes at various LCSD venues in support of Cantonese Opera Day.
This year, Cantonese Opera Day carries special meaning because Cantonese opera has been officially inscribed onto UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is also one of the attractions of "Cultural EAG" programmes celebrating the 5th East Asian Games in Hong Kong.
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 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp .
Ends/Friday, November 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:46
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