Preservation and Transformation of Chinese Heritage through Cantonese Opera

In this presentation, the author discusses the preservation and transformation of Chinese heritage through cultural performances, mainly Cantonese opera, in a Canadian context from an intercultural studies perspective. The author demonstrates the struggles and dynamics of Chinese Canadians remembering and negotiating their cultural identities between their hometowns and Canada. The author proposes in this study that these opera performances and their related activities, such as demonstrations and seminars, illustrate the manifestation of transcultural identity of Chinese Canadian communities. The introduction and adaptation of these cultural activities in Canada, enabled by the transcultural identities of the Chinese Canadians, symbolize the transcendence of borders, linguistics boundaries, and geographic distance.