Hong Kong’s Xiqu Centre launches exchanges and collaboration programmes with The Shanghai Center of Chinese Operas

The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) today has signed an agreement with The Shanghai Center of Chinese Operas to establish a long-term partnership covering exchanges in areas such as artistic development and venue operation.

The signing ceremony was officiated jointly by Mr Louis Yu, Executive Director of Performing Arts of WKCDA and Ms Zhang Ming, President of The Shanghai Center of Chinese Operas. It was witnessed by a number of guests, including Dr Liza Wang, Chairman of Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong and Dr Fredric Mao, Chair of the School of Chinese Opera at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Mr Yu indicated during the ceremony that the WKCDA has confirmed details of some of the programmes, including a delegation to visit Shanghai in late August 2016, as well as supporting young Hong Kong Cantonese opera talents to participate in the Shanghai Experimental Xiqu Festival at the end of this year.

“The Xiqu Centre, which is currently under construction, is tasked with the mission to carry on the legacy of Chinese opera. Upon its opening in 2018, it will become a centre not only for Cantonese opera but also Chinese opera of various theatrical genres, and is set to be a key platform for bringing the traditional art to the world. The collaboration between Hong Kong and Shanghai signifies an important milestone in forging partnerships for the conservation and promotion of Chinese operatic genres. We have also decided to invite the delegation of Shanghai Center of Chinese Operas to participate in the Grand Opening Season of the Xiqu Centre,” said Louis Yu.

“The artistry of Chinese opera is broad and profound, and is marked by the distinctness of different genres. I hope that through close collaboration among Xiqu professionals from different places, we can help strengthen artistic exchanges and foster innovation, taking the Chinese opera to another level. In particular, the cooperation will be instrumental to talent development. I look forward to bringing about a brand new scene for this traditional Chinese performing art with the opening of the Xiqu Centre,” said Zhang Ming.

After the signing ceremony, Zhang Ming shared with local xiqu professionals the current status of various troupes’ operations under the Shanghai Center of Chinese Operas, as well as some updates on art and cultural development in Shanghai. Dr Liza Wang and Dr Fredric Mao were among the guests to offer their insights during the discussions. Attendees found the discussions greatly enlightening.

According to the partnership agreement, the Xiqu Centre and the Shanghai Center of Chinese Operas will take turns to organise exchange activities in the coming three years. Xiqu organizations and practitioners will be invited to exchange views on venue operations, stage technologies, arts administration, marketing and promotion, talent cultivation and production of original works while at the same time, various preparatory works of the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District are underway in full steam.

“We look forward to building strong network with different opera troupes and xiqu institutions, and forming more partnerships for the future opening and operation of Xiqu Centre,” said Louis Yu.

Remarks

Xiqu Centre

As well as providing Hong Kong with both a world-class arts venue specifically built for xiqu performances, and a centre for production, education and research, the Xiqu Centre will help preserve and reinvent Cantonese opera and other Chinese traditional theatre for local and international audiences. The Xiqu Centre will act as the eastern gateway to the district and is due to open in 2018.

Shanghai Center of Chinese Operas

Founded in December 2011, the Shanghai Center of Chinese Operas is a non-commercial public service institution aiming to promote, preserve, innovate and develop the traditional heritage of Xiqu in Shanghai. The Centre manages six main xiqu troupes in the city, namely the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company, Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, Shanghai Huju Theatre Company, Shanghai Yueju Theatre Company, Shanghai Huaiju Troupe and Shanghai Pingtan Troupe. In addition to its various award-winning plays at national level, the Shanghai Center of Chinese Operas also owns a strong network of professional talents across different xiqu disciplines, including numerous representative bearers of Intangible Cultural Heritage items at national Level as well as the many winners of Chinese "Drama Plum Blossom Prize" and Wenhua Performance Award presented by the Ministry of Culture.