Traditional Chinese Opera

by Zhi Yan

I had never quite appreciated my background and culture until I moved to the United Kingdom.

My grandfather was in the traditional Chinese opera. My childhood memories include times spent watching opera starring Yam Kim-fai and accompanying my mother to Outram Park in Singapore to practice and watch others perform. I was taught somersaults, running the ‘round table’ and some vocals. I greatly miss those times as I am approaching my 40s.

Now, I see the importance of our culture and our need to pass it down— although unexpectedly, my young children are less keen.