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Hongkong Post today (August 6) announced that a set of special stamps entitled "Cantonese Opera Costumes" will be released for sale with associated philatelic products on August 21 (Thursday).
Cantonese opera is a major theatre genre in southern China and a highly valued traditional performing art in Hong Kong. With a live orchestra and special theatrical costumes, Cantonese opera is an art form involving many skills such as singing, acting, narration and martial arts.
Cantonese opera costumes come in a wide variety of styles and correspond to the identity and social status of the different roles performed on the stage. Hongkong Post is issuing a set of special stamps entitled "Cantonese Opera Costumes" and presenting seven distinctive costumes, namely the great Han costume, a gown with a sloping collar, a dress for young ladies, a military uniform for soldiers, a python ceremonial robe, a gown with a vertical collar and grand armour. The stamps feature intricate illustrations of Cantonese opera costumes modelled on real ones worn in live performances.
The performers on the $10 stamp sheetlet are dressed in grand armour, playing the marshals of the Six Kingdoms in The Joint Investiture and projecting a heroic, gallant and formidable demeanour.
Official First Day Covers will be on sale at $1.20 each at all post offices from tomorrow (August 7). The stamps and associated philatelic products will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office, Sha Tin Central Post Office and Tuen Mun Central Post Office from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from tomorrow to August 13.
Information about this special stamp issue and associated philatelic products is available on Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.hk and the Hongkong Post Mobile App.
Ends/Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:35
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