The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO), Ms Emily Mo, on July 24 attended the Cantonese opera performance at Flato Markham Theatre in Markham. This Cantonese opera performance is part of the “Canada-Hong Kong Young Cantonese Opera Cultural Exchange” organised by Starlight Chinese Opera Performing Arts Centre (Starlight) to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
In delivering the opening remarks before the performance, Ms Mo is delighted to share with participants the beauty of this art form. “Cantonese opera was included in Hong Kong’s first intangible cultural heritage list and the HKSAR Government continues to invest in the city’s hardware and software to promote this cultural heritage,” she said.
“The cultural industries in Hong Kong have been given a boost of confidence by the National 14th Five-Year Plan for its clear support towards Hong Kong developing into an East‑meets‑West centre for international cultural exchange. To realise our new cultural positioning, the HKSAR Government will work on five directions, including developing world‑class cultural facilities and a pluralistic cultural environment; strengthening our connections with overseas arts and culture organisations; enhancing cultural exchange and co‑operation with the Mainland; leveraging technology as well as nurturing talents,” Ms Mo continued.
“The Cantonese Opera Development Fund helps to preserve, promote, and develop Cantonese opera in the city. Recently, the HKSAR Government injected HK$100 million into the fund to nurture young Cantonese opera talents and appeal to a young audience,” Ms Mo said.
In addition, the Xiqu Centre of the West Kowloon Cultural District and the East Kowloon Cultural Centre which is expected to be commissioned in phases next year provide more venues as nurturing ground and performing venues for arts performers.
Before closing, Ms Mo invited participants to join other events organised by HKETO in the coming months to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the establishment of the HKSAR.
At the performance, more than a dozen starlets led by the Director of Starlight, Ms Alice Chan, staged six excerpts from popular Cantonese operas namely "Romance of the Phoenix Chamber", "Princess Chang Ping", "The Revenge Battle", "The Rescue of My Beauty", "King Chu Bidding Farewell to His Concubine", "Departure of Zhaojun" and a new “Love Story” composed by Cantonese opera artist, Ms Yuen Mei. These excerpts not only showcase the beauty of Cantonese opera to the Canadian audience but also enhance the cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Canada.
粵劇表演慶祝香港特區成立二十五周年
香港駐多倫多經濟貿易辦事處（香港經貿處）處長巫菀菁七月二十四日出席在萬錦市Flato Markham Theatre舉行的粵劇表演，該粵劇表演是寶新聲戲曲演藝中心（寶新聲）舉辦的「加港戲曲耀梨園」的部分活動，以慶祝香港特別行政區（香港特區）成立二十五周年。
巫菀菁在粵劇演出前致開幕辭時表示，很高興與觀眾分享這藝術的精髓。她說：「粤劇獲列入於首份香港非物質文化遺產名錄，香港特區政府會繼續投資發展有關的硬件及軟件，以推廣這項文化遺產。」
巫菀菁續說：「國家《十四五規劃綱要》明確支持香港發展成為中外文化藝術交流中心，為香港的文化事業打了支強心針。香港特區政府會循五大方向落實香港的新文化定位，包括：建立世界級的文化設施和多元文化空間；加強與海外藝術文化機構的關係；加強與內地的文化交流合作；善用科技及培育人才。」
巫菀菁表示：「粵劇發展基金有助在香港保存、推動及發展粵劇。香港特區政府最近向基金注資一億港元，以培育青年粵劇專業人才及吸引年輕觀眾。」
此外，西九文化區戲曲中心及預計於明年分階段啓用的東九文化中心均提供更多訓練及表演場地予藝術表演者。
最後巫菀菁誠邀觀眾參與香港經貿處在未來數月舉辦的慶祝香港回歸祖國及香港特區成立二十五周年的其他活動。
寶新聲董事陳景英率領十多位年青學員參與折子戲演出，六個廣受歡迎的粵劇選段包括：《鳳閣恩仇未了情》、《帝女花》、《無情寶劍有情天》、《喜得銀河抱月歸》、《霸王別姬》、《昭君出塞》及由粵劇藝術家阮眉編撰的《勁草嬌花風雨情》。這些折子戲不僅向加拿大觀眾展現粵劇的精髓，也促進了港加兩地之間的文化交流。
