Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

A new intangible cultural heritage (ICH) protection base has been established in a primary school in the Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai City of the Guangdong Province which focuses on demonstrating, teaching and developing the Cantonese opera – a traditional Chinese art form popular in regions such as Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

As the district’s 8th ICH base, the Xiangzhou No 21 Primary School will include the Cantonese opera in its formal curriculum, a part of a government-powered plan which aims to protect Cantonese opera by popularizing it among the younger citizens.

Xiangzhou No 21 Primary School is authorized as an intangible cultural heritage base on June 22.

On June 22, the base’s establishment was proclaimed with a major ceremony in which 200 locals, students and teachers participated. Lai Qiongxia, the deputy director of the Zhuhai Cultural Center and the chief of the Zhuhai Cantonese Opera Troupe, spoke during the ceremony.

“Children (in the base school) will have the chance to learn Cantonese opera systematically, experience it thoroughly and feel its unique charm from a young age,” Lai said. “By improving young people’s awareness, we may expect better protection of intangible cultural heritage in the future.”

The new intangible cultural heritage base award ceremony. 

In the Xiangzhou District, several ICH popularization programs have budded in recent years with local students in several middle and primary schools actively participating in various ICH-related activities. Prize-winning dances and music have been produced in those bases to highlight and advocate the Chinese traditional culture.

The Intangible Culture Heritage Protection Center of the Xiangzhou District also vowed to publish a series of books and to organize speeches, exhibitions and performances integrating the country’s old tradition and art into modern life.

The Cantonese opera is one of the major categories in Chinese opera. The traditional art form involves music, singing, martial arts, acrobatics and acting.

Students at Xiangzhou No 21 Primary School pose for a photo with Cantonese opera performers.