‘Lingering Echoes - Heritage and Innovation of Nanyin’ Activity Series

Unless otherwise stated, all special programmes are conducted in Cantonese and are free of charge. The Museum makes no representations on the content of the programmes. 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 2180 8260.

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

Talks 1 – 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 20th 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.

Talk 2 – Canton Music Legacy in Hong Kong: Nanyin, Banyan and Yueou by Blind Musicians Dou Wun and Lee Ngan-kiu

Many of the nanyin, banyan and yueou songs performed in both historical and contemporary Hong Kong originated from Canton (Guangzhou). This talk will explore how the imprint of Guangzhou has manifested in Hong Kong’s musical landscape and how the city is depicted in works from the late Qing dynasty, referencing the banyan song “The Paramours' Squabble” performed by gushi (male blind musician) Dou Wun, “Offerings by Qinglan” delivered in the yueou style by shiniang (female blind musician) Lee Ngan-kiu and other notable pieces, such as “Song of the Exile” and “Ho Wai Kwan Laments from the First till the Fifth Watch of Night”, and lyrics that recount the fire in Dashatou, Guangzhou, which occurred in the first lunar month of the first year of Qing Emperor Xuantong’s reign.

Love for Ma Tei – Nanyin Concert

Yung Shue Tau, Tin Hau Temple, Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei Theatre and the distinctive Hong Kong-style teahouses in Yau Ma Tei encapsulate the collective memories of many Hong Kong residents. In the early 20th century, Yau Ma Tei, then known as Ma Tei, was a Chinese settlement. By the 1960s and 1970s, it had evolved into a vibrant district and frequented by opera artists who performed in public spaces such as teahouses and on the streets. Nanyin, known for its straight forward lyrics and simple accompaniment, became a popular form of entertainment during this time. Nanyin has been included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong.

In 1911, Kwong Wah Hospital was established in Yau Ma Tei as the first hospital on the Kowloon Peninsula. It has since provided Chinese and Western medical services to the community. The Tung Wah Museum, originally the Main Hall Building of Kwong Wah Hospital, is now located at the hospital’s courtyard. In 1970, when the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals celebrated its centenary, this building was converted into the Tung Wah Museum to preserve the group’s archives and cultural relics. Recognised for its historical and architectural significance, Tung Wah Museum was declared a monument in 2010. This year we celebrate the 155th anniversary of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and the 55th anniversary of the Tung Wah Museum. In honour of these milestones, we have invited Professor Yuen Siu-fai, maestro of Cantonese Opera, to compose new lyrics dedicated to Tung Wah. He will perform alongside promising young nanyin artist, offering a profound reflections on the people and sentiments of Yau Ma Tei through nanyin, a traditional form of narrative singing.