KUCHING: Hokkien Opera appears to have not caught the imagination of younger Chinese given that its protagonists are mainly the elderly today.
The sad state of affairs came to light during the recent celebration of Zhu Sheng Niang Niang where over three nights from May 18 the Hokkien Opera was staged at the Kuching Hong San Si Temple in Carpenter Street here.
It quickly dawned on those who turned up for the opera clearly that the performers were getting on in age with no younger members learning the art from them.
“Sadly, it is no longer a very packed and regular event, the case being that there are now very few opera artistes left to carry on the tradition,” said the Hokkien Association, underscoring the pressing need to keep this tradition alive.
Luckily for the association the Sarawak Arts Council has begun programmes to observe, document, assist, train and share with the younger generations with the aim of preserving this traditional art performance in Sarawak.
Present to watch the performance were International Music House (IMH) College chief executive officer Alvin Kon together with researchers from the college and board of directors from the Sarawak Arts Council.
Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Hii Chang Kee and Sarawak Arts Council acting chief executive officer Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan were also present.
“The arts council and the ministry through the research and heritage of arts funds are studying how they can be of assistance to encourage and rekindle the activity to be a part of unique cultural heritage of the Sarawakian Chinese and for tourism in Sarawak,” said the association.
