Chief Producer’s Message

Creativity and Persistence – Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2021

The preservation and innovation of xiqu is the core mission of the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival. In the past few years, the city’s changing social landscape and a global pandemic have dealt a double blow on a wide range of sectors, and the impact of the Covid crisis is particularly felt by the performing arts industry. With live performances and arts activities coming to an abrupt halt, the livelihoods and creative endeavours of many performing arts professionals have been severely disrupted. However, this socially-distanced “new normal” has also made us realise the importance of human connection and the immeasurable value of performing arts. Despite a multitude of challenges, we have stayed determined to present the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival every year, and to showcase the best productions and talent the industry has to offer. 

Committed to cultivating new generations of xiqu performers and creators, the Xiqu Centre is a place where young talent are given the resources and space they need to explore, experiment and hone their skills. Here, they are encouraged to have inspiring discussions with fellow artists, to learn from various artistic disciplines, and to strive for authenticity and innovation while honouring the legacy and essence of xiqu. This has allowed them to create some of the most original experimental works in the genre, and to evolve into better artists themselves. The Xiqu Centre’s own award-winning experimental Cantonese operas – Farewell my Concubine (New Adaptation) and Wenguang Explores the Valley – have garnered tremendous critical acclaim. In addition, each performance has given the creators new insights and inspirations, driving them to continuously revise and improve their works. 

At its core, the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival is a multi-functional platform that welcomes young xiqu workers to share their creativity and communicate with the audience. Its mission is to preserve the long traditions of Chinese opera while helping it adapt with the times, and to promote xiqu culture through education and exchange. 

Of course, we could not successfully host the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival without the unwavering support of our partners and audience. Guided by our shared belief in artistic excellence and innovation, we will continue our effort to bring together creative talent and ideas, to facilitate the exchange of cultures and traditions, and to present new xiqu experiences. We hope to see more promising young artists grow and thrive, and look forward to your continued support. Let’s build a bright new future for this ancient art form. 

Naomi Chung
Head of Xiqu, Performing Arts, West Kowloon Cultural District