Conservation and Inheritance
As a well-established organization that represents the Cantonese Opera industry in Hong Kong, Chinese ArtistCAAHK of Hong Kong (CAAHK) is made up of members from professional representatives of various fields in the industry, such as actors, musicians, martial artists, specialists in costumes and scenes etc. In the past, the eligibility for joining the CAAHK was quite rigorous, and only members who relied on Cantonese Opera for earning their living and who had accumulated certain experience and qualifications in the industry could join as members. Meanwhile, their mentorship background was also considered. After accepted by the Board of Directors and formally became members of the CAAHK, all members would be governed by the rules and disciplines of the CAAHK. In case members were invited to perform in places other than Hong Kong, they must obtain a stamped proof of CAAHK as guarantee. With the development of society, the CAAHK has gradually relaxed the restrictions on its members. That said, the value of the CAAHK and its influence on the society has continued to improve. Wide recognition from the Government and society was gained on the CAAHK as a formal organization in representing the local Cantonese Opera industry. With such an invaluable social status, the CAAHK bears significant responsibilities in the preservation and inheritance of the art of Cantonese Opera.
Expanding the Market
Since Cantonese Opera was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2009, the society has paid more and more attention to Cantonese Opera. In this regard, the CAAHK has also made a lot of efforts to attract more audiences. For example, theCAAHK has striven to establish a training base at the Yau Ma Tei Theatre for young talents by holding the Cantonese Opera Young Talent Showcase. Around 100 fixed performances were held every year. With such a fresh and innovative idea, the performances have attracted many new audiences to appreciate and enjoy Cantonese Opera. In addition, the CAAHK also coOperated with different partners to organize various performances and promotional activities, such as collaboration with the Hong Kong Professional Photographers Network in exhibiting the photos of new talents on stage at the Passenger Terminal Building of the Hong Kong International Airport. While free excerpt performances were arranged for tourists to enjoy, the Cantonese Opera exhibition and the excerpt performances in the Times Square, Causeway Bay, also attracted a large number of audiences and made them aware of the importance of inheriting Cantonese Opera in Hong Kong. Hence, more events for tourism purpose (Experience Cantopera) and special performances for students were held at the Yau Ma Tei Theatre to promote the art of Cantonese Opera to audiences from all walks of life. In addition to performances, the art of Cantonese Opera was also promoted through education. For example, theCAAHK has coOperated with primary and secondary schools of Po Leung Kuk as well as Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Lui Yun Choy Memorial College in organizing formal Cantonese Opera courses in the recent years. Through such arrangements, children could have the opportunities to learn Cantonese Opera since a young age. In terms of tertiary education, the CAAHK has collaborated with The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and The Education University of Hong Kong in offering credit courses. Currently, the CAAHK is working hard in hoping to gain the assistance of the Education Bureau to improve the academic level of Cantonese Opera art so that the public can further understand and recognize the artistic value of Cantonese Opera. Over the past years, the CAAHK has even sponsored the Cantonese Opera competition of the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival. Through the contests, the interest of singing and participation in Cantonese Opera among members of academic field has been increased, which has indeed greatly helped the overall promotion of Cantonese Opera.
Large-scale Cantonese Opera Promotional Exhibition, and Performances
The CAAHK has coOperated three times with Hong Kong International Airport in organizing the events of BARWO x HKPPN Photo Exhibition (兩棚人雙連展), Two Studio Grand Birthday Celebration (眾仙慶生大派對) and Transcending Classics The New Generation of Cantonese Opera (當新秀遇上經典 越睇『粵』有趣).