Our Xiqu Centre: Two Years On

Following the design competition held in 2012, the Xiqu Centre was finally completed and opened at the end of 2018, becoming the first performing arts venue in the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD). All sectors of society have high expectations for the Xiqu Centre, which is different from the typical Chinese opera performance venue. Renowned Cantonese opera actor Yuen Siu-fai even hopes that it will become an international hub for Chinese opera.

Since its opening, most of the programmes scheduled for the 2019/2020 season at the Xiqu Centre have been cancelled due to the social movement and the COVID-19 outbreak. It can be said that the Xiqu Centre has yet to officially operate under normal circumstances. I had the pleasure of interviewing Naomi Chung, Head of Xiqu, Performing Arts, of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA). This piece attempts to provide a clearer picture of the context in which the establishment of the centre developed by examining various different facets, namely positioning, venue use, programme planning, commissioning, and research and conservation.