The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) held the ‘Advancing Chinese Traditional Culture in Greater Bay Area Schools – Symposium for Cantonese Opera Teaching 2025’ at the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) on 29 May. The event brought scholars across the Greater Bay Area to conduct in-depth discussions on the practice of Cantonese opera education in schools, with the aim of promoting it in primary and secondary schools throughout the region.
The event was organised by EdUHK’s Academy for Educational Development and Innovation (AEDI) and the Xiqu and Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre (XICH), and co-organised with the Xiqu Centre in WestK, the Guangdong Academy of Education, the Shunde Education and Teachers Development Centre, and the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts at EdUHK. It was supported by the Education Bureau (EDB) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Cantonese Opera Development Fund, and the Rural Training College Alumni Association.
The symposium was officiated by Professor Kenneth Sin Kuen-fung, Executive Co-Director of AEDI at EdUHK; Professor Frankie Yeung, Chairman of Xiqu Centre Advisory Panel; and Dr Matsunobu Koji, Acting Head of the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts at EdUHK. Representatives from supporting organisations were also in attendance, including Ms Naomi Chung, Head of Xiqu, Performing Arts of WestK; Ms Kang Hua, Music Researcher of the Shunde Education Development Centre; Ms Grace Chau Pui-yan, Senior Curriculum Development Officer (Music) at EDB, and Mr Ngai Shi-shing, Chairman of the Rural Training College Alumni Association.
Professor Kenneth Sin Kuen-fung said, “As a strategic region for national development, the Greater Bay Area possesses rich cultural resources and educational advantages. EdUHK hopes to connect with more educators and schools to strengthen the strategic initiatives of Cantonese opera education in the Area, join hands in promoting its inheritance and development, and contribute to the cultural prosperity of the Area.”
Keynote speeches were given by Professor Leung Bo-Wah, Executive Director for XICH at EdUHK, and Ms Kang Hua, Music Researcher at the Shunde Education Development Centre, articulating theories and practical strategies of teaching opera. Subsequently, over 20 music teachers from primary and secondary schools in the Greater Bay Area shared their teaching experiences.
The event also featured performances by students from both Guangdong and Hong Kong, including performances of Chun Cao Breaks into the Court, Longing for Ordinary Life, and The Crossroads by students from Beihai Primary School Lunjiao, Shunde; Huadong Primary School, Longjiang Town, Shunde District, Foshan City; and Chengde Primary School, Beijiao Town, Shunde District. The Cantonese Opera School Team from Ng Wah Catholic Primary School in Hong Kong used the ‘Yueju Accomp’ application launched by EdUHK to perform Mulan Joins the Army, showcasing the essence of innovative Cantonese opera performances. These performances highlighted the achievements of Cantonese opera transmission in schools, reflecting the deep integration of traditional arts modern education.
