The Experience and Challenges of Compiling an Oral History of Artists—Oral History Series: Cantonese Opera Artists of the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong

It is an important responsibility of the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong (CAAHK) to collect and compile the oral history of Cantonese opera artists and practitioners, since it is one of the strategic objectives of the CAAHK’s Cantonese Opera Heritage Plan. The year 2009 was a pivotal year in the CAAHK’s history. In addition to being successfully registered as a charitable organisation, the association submitted its proposal to the government for the revitalisation of a historic building, the North Kowloon Magistracy, as The CAAHK Cantonese Opera Culture Centre. It also announced the Cantonese Opera Heritage Plan in the same year. The plan outlines an overall plan of action for Cantonese opera heritage preservation in Hong Kong, with the CAAHK being one of the various stakeholders. The comprehensive implementation of Cantonese opera heritage preservation requires more than the efforts of the Cantonese opera circle; it also requires support from different organisations and individuals in Hong Kong, and can only be brought to fruition with sufficient resources and ongoing planning and enactment over time.