On August 11th, the closing ceremony for the "I am a Little Cantonese Fan—The 3rd Guangdong Youth Cantonese Opera Summer Camp" was held at the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Art Center. Over the past nine days, 40 young participants, known as "Little Cantonese Opera Fans", immersed themselves in Cantonese opera (Yueju), calligraphy, tea arts, and other intangible cultural heritage courses. They also took part in Cantonese opera roadshows and corporate study tours, gaining a wealth of experience.

Zeng Yanhua, deputy director of the Guangdong Yueju Opera Theatre, highlighted that during the nine days, the campers had face-to-face interactions with Cantonese opera masters and professional teachers. They learned opera singing techniques, practiced performance movements, and showcased their Cantonese opera flash performances, including "One Heart for All" and "Choy Li Fut", at iconic Guangzhou landmarks such as the Five-Ram Statue, Zhenhai Tower, and Beijing Road.

The campers demonstrated the charm of Cantonese opera to tourists, exhibited the unique allure of this art form, and experienced the importance of teamwork and cooperation through collective activities. They combined learning with practice, leading to significant personal growth. Zeng expressed hope that the campers will continue their passion for Cantonese opera, pursue their studies diligently, and grow into confident individuals who will stage their own grand performances in life.

This year's camp saw an increase in both the number of participants and their geographical diversity, attracting students from Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, Guangxi, and other regions. The summer camp provided the 40 campers with unique opportunities for growth and transformation.

Outstanding campers, Peng Mingxuan and Luo Yuanyu, shared their joy and achievements from the camp, expressing their continued enthusiasm for Cantonese opera and their commitment to learning and promoting this traditional art form.

During the final performance, representatives from the three editions of the Cantonese Opera Summer Camp showcased their talents in a variety of Cantonese opera excerpts, such as "Intercepting the Horse" and "Three Deceptions for Zhou Yu", blending literature and martial arts in a spectacular presentation.

Additionally, the third-year campers performed group pieces "Choy Li Fut" and "One Heart for All". The former beautifully combined Cantonese opera with southern martial arts, showcasing Lingnan culture, while the latter featured Cantonese opera singing and movements, offering audiences a timeless dialogue with the legendary "Madam Xian" Xian Ying.

Parents of the campers expressed their delight at their children's transformation and gratitude for the camp's role in their development.

"Not only did the camp broaden my child's horizons, but it also improved his social skills. It was a wonderful cultural exploration," said Mr. Chen, a parent.

"Very grateful! My child has grown so much through the camp, and we even got to enjoy the first cup of tea he made himself. I can't help but shed tears of joy!" shared Ms. Huang, another parent.

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