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Hong Kong has seen performances of traditional Cantonese “operas for deities” across the territory in celebration of Tin Hau Festival, marking the birthday of the “Empress of Heaven.”
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This year’s festival coincided with Labour Day on May 1. It is celebrated on the 23rd day of the third lunar month.
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On Lamma Island, performance group Golden Dragon and Phoenix presented a traditional Cantonese opera in Yung She Wan for five consecutive nights.
Kicking off last Tuesday, the show featured Cantonese Opera titan Loong Koon-tin, who took part in 11 performances.
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It took place at a makeshift bamboo theatre, erected by hand over several weeks in a playground.
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Additional ferries were arranged for the audience to leave the island after the curtain fell each night.
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Still popular across Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macau, and among Chinese communities abroad, the art form involves singing, martial arts, acrobatics, and acting with striking make-up and accompanying music.
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Words by Hans Tse.
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