“Lingering Echoes - Heritage and Innovation of Nanyin”First Talk“Nanyin Appreciation: Heritage and Innovation in the Culture of Narrative Singing”

Nanyin, a form of Cantonese narrative singing cherished in the Pearl River Delta, boasts a profound cultural heritage. This year marks the 155^th anniversary of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and the 55^th anniversary of Tung Wah Museum. To celebrate, the Tung Wah Museum has joined hands with the Hong Kong Heritage Museum to organise a series of nanyin-themed activities, in a bid to preserve and share the essence of this art form, allowing the public to appreciate its style and understand its historical and cultural significance as well as its ongoing innovation and transmission through generations.

Drawing on the research of Professor Yuen Siu-fai, this lecture delves into the evolution of nanyin from its traditional roots, where blind musicians accompanied by the guzheng performed, to its innovative interpretations that incorporate modern music and art forms. The talk will highlight classic pieces to discuss the integration of nanyin into Cantonese opera in the early 20^th century, and explore recent innovative effort to blend nanyin with contemporary music. It will elucidate how nanyin has preserved its distinctive traditional features in Hong Kong while being rejuvenated within contemporary culture, moving from teahouses and taverns to university lecture halls and cultural stages, thereby perpetuating its rich heritage.