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

Jointly presented by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Co-organised by Tung Wah Museum and Hong Kong Heritage Museum

“Lingering Echoes - Heritage and Innovation of Nanyin” Activity Series

Nanyin is a form of narrative singing presented in Cantonese. Since the early 20^th century, nanyin has evolved and gained popularity in Hong Kong, becoming a beloved form of mass entertainment. Many of the early singers were blind, and their lyrics often depicted the challenges faced by the ordinary people in their daily life. These works provide valuable insights into the social landscape of Hong Kong across various periods. ‍Nanyin offers much more than mere entertainment, it embodies significant historical, cultural and artistic value, and has been included in the inaugural Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong.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.

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. 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 efforts 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.

Speaker: Professor Yuen Siu-fai (maestro of Cantonese opera) 

Date: 28 June 2025 (Saturday)

Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Venue: Theatre, Hong Kong Heritage Museum (1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong)

* The lecture will be conducted in Cantonese.

* Free admission.  

* First come, first served.

* For special arrangements under inclement weather conditions, please click here for details.

* Programmes are subject to change and cancellation without prior notice. For enquiries, please call 2770 0867.

備註：

本辦公室已敦促屬下員工及活動提供者，於服務提供時必須留意並遵從《中華人民共和國香港特別行政區維護國家安全法》和與維護國家安全有關的香港其他法律，包括但不限於《國旗及國徽條例》、《區旗及區徽條例》及《國歌條例》，並確保在轄下單位內的行為或活動不會可能構成或可能導致在國安法或香港其他法律下屬危害國家安全，或不利於國家安全的罪行。