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Cantonese Opera Day, organised annually by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), was held today (November 29) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Over 140 performers participated in a parade followed by an opening ceremony officiated by the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mrs Betty Fung; renowned Cantonese opera maestro, Mr Lam Ka-sing; and Chairman of the Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee, Dr Stephen Chow.
During the ceremony, Mrs Fung said that the official inscription of Cantonese Opera onto UNESCO's "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" in September signified international appreciation and recognition of this indigenous art form.
Mrs Fung said she was impressed by today's performances by a significant number of children and youth troupes, which showed that with an increasing number of young people taking part in Cantonese opera, the art form would have a sustainable future.
She expressed appreciation in particular to Mr Lam Ka-sing, who honoured the occasion as an officiating guest. The Cantonese opera maestro encourages young people to appreciate and take up Cantonese opera so that this cultural legacy would continue to develop.
Mrs Fung added that the Government would continue to support this artistic legacy and promote the art form, as well as to provide quality performance venues, such as improving the facilities and constructing a new wing at Ko Shan Theatre; converting the Yau Ma Tei Theatre into a Xiqu Activity Centre, and including in the West Kowloon Cultural District a landmark building housing the Xiqu Centre.
After the opening ceremony, the event began with an array of free programmes, including Cantonese operatic performances 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 were held.
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the death of legendary playwright Tong Tik-sang, a photo exhibition was held on an open deck bus.
This year, "Cantonese Opera Day" carries a 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 the "Cultural EAG" programmes to celebrate the 5th East Asian Games in Hong Kong.
Other events featuring singing and operatic performances were also held at various LCSD venues in support of Cantonese Opera Day.
The cultural departments of Guangdong, Macao 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.
Ends/Sunday, November 29, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:20
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