Dr. Chan Tak-ho, Editor-in-Chief, Hong Kong Local History Center
The first inspection The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong was a birthday celebration and worship ceremony for Master Huaguang’s birthday. Although the ceremony was simple, it did not lose respect for Master Huaguang. Most of the birthday worship ceremonies for gods in Hong Kong will be held in the morning, and short plays will also be performed in front of the gods. However, the birthday celebration ceremony on the birthday of Master Wah Kwong is more special and is scheduled to be held on the baby's birthday. In addition to paying respects at the beginning of the birthday of the god, it is also like putting incense on the head of a temple at midnight to pray for the safety of the industry and practitioners. As for the worship ceremony before the opera performance, in addition to the participation of people from the industry, some neighbors also come to burn incense and add sesame oil. They have come to worship in previous years and are devout believers, reflecting the different aspects of Huaguang's faith.
The most unforgettable part of the play "Birthday Celebrations at Xianghua Mountain" is the part where hearts burst out and the young actors sprinkle money. This year, due to the epidemic, we were unable to see the audience swarming to grab money, but the audience still cheered and clapped in their seats, and the lively atmosphere did not diminish at all. Fortunately, I was assigned a seat near the front. When the actor threw money, a gold coin hit my forehead and fell into my hand. I believe I will be very lucky in the next year.
After watching "Happy Birthday from Xianghua Mountain", I have a deeper understanding of Cantonese opera. In the past, under the influence of my grandmother, I often watched Cantonese opera in movies or on TV, mainly singing operas. This was my first time to watch a "big opera" in a theater. I really liked the martial arts and pomp performed by the actors in "Fragrance". Cantonese opera Between "inheritance" and "passion", it not only retains the tradition of the drama "Scent", but also innovates within the tradition. It is an important "intangible cultural heritage" project full of vitality.
This content was translated by AI. In case of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.
