EdUHK Alumni Cantonese Opera Concert held to promote legacy of Cantonese performing arts

An EdUHK Alumni Cantonese Opera Concert was held at the Grand Theatre of the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District on 27 August 2021. Co-organised by the Research Centre for Transmission of Cantonese Opera (RCTCO) and the Department of Culture and Creative Arts (CCA), the concert was part of the project known as “The Legacy of Cantonese Arts”.

The aim of the project is to promote Lingnan arts and Cantonese culture through various activities, and to commemorate the late Dr Kwong Kai-to, who was an EdUHK Honorary Fellow and a veteran educator, as well as a Chinese calligrapher and artist, who devoted his life to the promotion and development of Chinese arts and cultural education.

The opening ceremony was jointly presided over by Dr Frankie Yeung Wai-shing, Vice-Chairman of Hong Kong Arts Development and Chairman of the Xiqu Centre Advisory Panel; Professor John Lee Chi-kin, Vice President (Academic) and Provost of EdUHK, and Chairman of the “The Legacy of Cantonese Arts” Preparatory Committee; Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice President (Research and Development) of EdUHK; and Mr Ngai Shi-shing, a member of the Supervisory Committee of the Dr Kwong Kai-to Memorial Charitable Foundation.

Professor John Lee Chi-kin said, “I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Dr Kwong Kai-to for his unfailing support for the development of the University, which has benefitted countless students. The concert has brought together alumni who love Cantonese opera and provided a platform for them to show their talent. I am looking forward to cooperating with different stakeholders to promote Cantonese Opera to have a greater impact on Hong Kong arts and cultural education.”

Professor Leung Bo-wah, Director of RCTCO and a professor at CCA, made his stage debut with Cantonese opera artist Ms Ng Miu-sheung at the concert. Professor Leung said, “I was very happy to reunite with many alumni and guests, as we had not seen each other for a long time. I am deeply honoured to be able to participate in this event as a performer. I sincerely hope that it will help foster collaboration between academics and Cantonese opera practitioners.”

To facilitate the transmission and development of Cantonese opera in Hong Kong, EdUHK established RCTCO in January 2018. With a core team of academics, a group of consultants and collaborative organisations, the centre endeavours to promote Cantonese opera locally and internationally. It is committed to advocating research in Cantonese opera transmission and education, and facilitating the sustainable development of the Cantonese opera industry in Hong Kong through educational research and knowledge transfer activities.