Organised by the Macao Museum under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the exhibition “The Enchanting Red Boat – An Episode of the Cantonese Opera Culture” will be officially open to the public with the opening ceremony to be held tomorrow, 26th May. This exhibition features the most representative artefacts related to Cantonese Opera of the Macao Museum, and other materials, photographs and collections provided by Cantonese Opera associations and organisations. A series of activities will also be launched in order to promote the art of Cantonese Opera and allow the public to have a better understanding about the customs of Cantonese Opera. Admission is free

A thematic talk entitled “The Enchanting Red Boat” will be held on Saturday, 4th June, from 3pm to 5pm, conducted by experienced Cantonese Opera artists and performers, Tang Yick Sang and Tang Va Chio, introducing the history of Cantonese Opera from the origin of the red boat, ‘Opera in the Bamboo Theatre’ and ‘Opera for Deities’, traditional stage facilities, to the transformation of Cantonese Opera performance and costumes; a workshop by the Macao Lai Chon Chinese Opera Association will be held on Saturday, 11th June, from 10am to 1pm, presenting the costumes and helmets of modern Cantonese Opera. In this workshop, specialists will demonstrate how to make hairpieces using human hair, and teach participants the basic skills of Cantonese Opera. The abovementioned activities, conducted in Cantonese, will be held at the Macao Museum Auditorium. Admission is free. Seats are limited and subject to availability. For registration and enquiries, please call Ms. Wu through tel. no. 8394 1210 during office hours.

In addition, a “Balloon Modelling Family Workshop” will be held on 17th and 31st July and 14th August (Sundays), at 2:45pm and 4pm, at the Auditorium of the Macao Museum. Instructors will teach participants to twist balloons into creative shapes based on hats and weapons used in Cantonese Opera. Admission is free and registration can be made on-site. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first served basis

There will also be Crosswords Prizes. All interested patrons can obtain a registration form on site or download it at the Macao Museum website (www.macaumuseum.gov.mo), and return it to the “Crosswords Collection Box” on the third floor of the Macao Museum during the exhibition period. The Macao Museum will announce the list of winners and prize redemption procedures on 25th October on its website. For enquiries about the “Balloon Modelling Family Workshop” and the “Crosswords Prizes”, please call Ms. Shi through tel. no. 8394 1234.

As part of the programme of the 27th Macao Arts Festival, the exhibition “The Enchanting Red Boat – An Episode of the Cantonese Opera Culture” is open until 9th October. For more information on the exhibition and relevant activities, please visit the Macao Museum website www.macaumuseum.gov.mo or call 2835 7911 during office hours.