Operation Santa Claus: Hong Kong deaf parents, their children, experience world of Cantonese opera at workshop

Law firm Deacons, Operation Santa Claus work together to create two-session workshop on the traditional art form for eight families, made up of children with parents who have hearing disabilities

Participants and volunteers get crash course in Cantonese opera, put together small, silent sketches with help from teachers

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Participants and Deacons volunteers at the Cantonese opera workshop at St. James’ Settlement Wanchai Integrated Family Service Centre in Wan Chai. Photo: Handout

Published: 10:00am, 10 Dec 2021

Music may seem like the last thing deaf parents thought they could enjoy with their children, but a Cantonese opera workshop organised by law firm Deacons has proved that music really is a language that speaks to everyone.

Working with Operation Santa Claus (OSC), the law firm this year donated HK$300,000 (US$38,500) to create a two-session Cantonese opera workshop for eight families, made up of children with parents who have hearing disabilities.

OSC is an annual fundraising initiative co-organised by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK since 1988. There are 18 beneficiaries this year and donation details can be found here.

“We often think that being deaf and enjoying opera are not compatible,” said Deacons senior partner Lilian Chiang Sui-fook. “But we wanted to create the opportunity for the parents to actually experience music with their children.”

There are an estimated 155,000 hearing-impaired people in Hong Kong. Of all the different disabilities, hearing loss may seem less serious, because the issue is not immediately visible, according to Chiang, but those who are hearing-impaired still face serious difficulties in their daily life.

Children with deaf parents are often relegated to being translators for them in the hearing world.

“Many children may not have had the opportunity to listen to music, or attend a show,” Chiang said. “We hope this workshop will encourage children and their parents to take part in and enjoy the performing arts.”