GEORGE TOWN Heritage Celebrations 2019 is back to mark the 11th anniversary of George Town as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Themed ‘Let’s Celebrate – Rituals and Festive Events’, the event is an opportunity for visitors to experience George Town’s cultural heritage firsthand.
The anticipated street festival will be held on July 6 from 6pm to 11pm at the heritage zone of George Town.
The street festival will feature 22 community workshops and 18 unforgettable performances.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is also the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) chairman, said the celebration would gather people from all walks of life to celebrate Penang’s culture, diversity and to experience the interactive activities.
“This event is a way to conserve the intangible cultural heritage of George Town.
“Through this festival, visitors have the chance to understand traditions, cultures and religions from different ethnic and social groups better.
“It contributes to the vibrancy and life in George Town today,” Chow told a press conference on George Town Heritage Celebrations 2019 held at Penang Youth Centre today.
GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee said the community-powered event was aimed at giving the public a platform to take in the city’s diversity.
“Collectively, we can safeguard the cultural heritage of George Town for future generations.
“There will be site excursions to seven cultural institutions in George Town which will be facilitate by communities themselves from July 6 to 8.
“Discover the State Chinese (Penang) Association, Nattukottai Nagarathar Heritage Society, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Penang Eurasian Assoaciation, Gujarati Samaj Penang, Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang and Nam Hooi Wooi Koon,” she added during her speech.
The celebration is organised by GTWHI with the endorsement of the state government, and in cooperation with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), Penang Global Tourism and Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO.
For further information and registration for the site excursions, visit http://gtwhi.com.my/gthc2019 or check out the George Town Heritage Celebrations Facebook page (George Town Heritage Celebrations).
Alternatively, check out @heritagecelebrations on Instagram or call 017-4281848.
Also present were state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi and Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan.
Story by K.Thaarshenii
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi