Before the liberation in 1949, there was already a troupe of goose and drum players (mainly eight hands) in Hong Kong who frequently traveled between Hong Kong and Guangzhou. The meeting place was at No. 83 Temple Street, Doll Friends (formerly known as Xia Shou). Jiang You)'s home; people who often stayed here include: Tan Guihua, Chang Renyao (original name Jian), Daluoshu (Luo Jiashu), Rong Zhangye (Daluo King), Liang Jin (owner of Golden Phoenix Musical Instruments Store) and others. Because of his contacts with Wang Yuesheng, Lin Zhaoliu and others who played Western music, he gradually came up with the idea of organizing a musicians union. In 1951, under the arrangement of Ho Hoi-kei, the rooftop of the "Seamen's Union School" on Sai Kung Street was used as a temporary office for the Hong Kong "Music Department". A Cantonese opera musician-phobic organization with a trade union nature emerged, with about 18 members at that time. In 1952, the "The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong Music Group" was formally established, with Yin Zizhong as the first group leader. Since "The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong" had not been formally established at that time, the "Music Group" was actually an independent organization, but it was still dependent on the "Guangzhou Province The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong Cantonese opera Vocational Union Hong Kong Branch". In 1953, "The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong" was formally established. Since the "Music Department" had a subordinate relationship with the guild hall and had no formal meeting address, it was necessary to arrange a desk in the guild hall to work and go through the procedures to join "The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong" and the "Music Department" again. After many years of borrowing the hall, the directors of the "Music Club" decided to use fund-raising to purchase the venue. Those who worked in the big class were required to pay two days' salary. Other members were willing to help, but they still could not raise enough money. Finally, the then vice-chairman Lin Zhaoliu borrowed 2,000 yuan from his disciple Wu Junli to buy one of the units at the current venue of Ping An Building. This was between 1966 and 1967. At that time, Board of Directors had rented out the unit. Because the tenants owed rent, it was used as an official meeting place and recreational activities such as mahjong games were held to increase income. In 1958, due to the development of the association, the economy was relatively abundant. Board of Directors once again mobilized members to raise funds to purchase another adjacent unit and connect it. On November 15, it was officially registered as "Hong Kong Po Fook Hall Cantonese opera Musicians Association Co., Ltd.", referred to as "Pu Fook Hall". The welfare of "Pufuktang" is basically the same as that of the club, with welfare funds distributed at the end of the year and members' In Memoriam longevity funds. In addition, in order to protect the rights and interests of members, non-members are not allowed to cooperate with each other during scheduled performances. During performances, the troupe also employs 16 people in the large class, 12 people in the middle class, and 9 people in the small class. In the past, there was a system of guilds (unemployed musicians posted to wait for jobs), but in the past ten years due to the revival of Cantonese opera and folk arts, there are no more members to register, making this system exist in name only. There are currently about 280 members. Except for some who have retired or immigrated, most are full-time musicians, and some are part-time or engaged in other industries. The current directors are still full of ambitions to expand the affairs of the association and seek benefits for members. According to the written information provided by the "Music Department", the first "The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong Music Department" (commonly known as the "Music Department" or "Music Section") was established in 1955. By the 21st session in 1984, registration was discussed, and it was officially registered in 1985. The current chairman Mak Wai-Man officially took over in 1994.
Address: Room 16, 3rd Floor, Ping An Building, 385 Nathan Road, Kowloon
Phone: 23888506
WhatsApp: 65875271
Email: hkpofooktong@gmail.com
