Memories of Canto-pop 'godfather' Roman Tam Pak-sin will live on at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum after family members donated 3,000 items of memorabilia from his long career.
The Roman Tam Collection, part of which is on display from today until April 21, is believed to be the first complete collection of a Hong Kong pop artist.
The star's sisters, Tam Man-yuk and Tam Ming-yuk, approached the museum shortly after he died of liver cancer in 2002 with the idea of the donation, which they made last year.
'Only after coming to Hong Kong was Roman able to bring his talent into full play,' elder sister Tam Man-yuk said yesterday - the fifth anniversary of her brother's death. 'Had he stayed in Guangzhou, he would not have amounted to anything.'
She said the donation was made to thank Hongkongers for their support of her brother.
'It was Hong Kong that nurtured Roman's career, so the collection belongs to all people in Hong Kong,' Tam Man-yuk said, adding the family also believed the star's memorabilia would be better kept and appreciated in the museum.
Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Thomas Chow Tat-ming said the collection would play a significant role in local pop culture.