Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto)

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto (HKETO) supports the Toronto Cantonese opera troupes in staging the charity show, “Yuen May Centennial Thanksgiving Charity Performance” at the P.C. Ho Theatre of the Greater Toronto Chinese Cultural Centre on September 2.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of HKETO, Mr Bill Wong, remarked that Cantonese opera, a traditional Chinese art form with a long and rich history, has gained wide international recognition. It was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, underscoring its cultural value and significance. For over a century, Canada has become an important place for the preservation and succession of Cantonese opera in the Western world.

“The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to supporting the preservation, development, and succession of Cantonese opera,” Mr Wong said. “Through the Cantonese Opera Development Fund, we support artist training, audience development, scriptwriting, research, as well as a wide range of performances and educational activities. We also invest in world-class cultural infrastructure, including the internationally renowned Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District, to showcase Cantonese opera to local and international audiences.”

Mr Wong paid special tribute to Madam Yuen May for her lifelong commitment to promoting and developing Cantonese opera. Over nearly five decades, she has composed more than 100 Cantonese opera songs and devoted herself to education and talent development. Now a centenarian, she continues to contribute to the art with unwavering dedication.

To promote cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Canada, two Hong Kong performers, Leung Chun-man and Leung Chi-kei, also participated in the show and presented selected works and excerpts written by Madam Yuen.