AFTER a two-year long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual Penang Hill Festival finally returns this year!
Organised by the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC), the festival is scheduled to take place from Aug 5 to 7.
PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said like before, Penang Hill Festival 2022 (PHF2022) aims to promote and bring about greater awareness of Penang Hill’s nature, history and cultural heritage.
“What’s more, this is the inaugural year we are celebrating the festival since Penang Hill gained recognition as the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve under the Unesco Man and the Biosphere Programme.
“Since its inception in 2018, the Penang Hill Festival also has collaborated with business partners, the hill community, academics, artists and nature enthusiasts to bring together an event suited for everyone.
“So for this year, we promise an array of interesting programmes lined up for the three-day event all aimed to celebrate the historical, natural and cultural elements of our beloved hill,” Cheok told a press conference in Komtar today.
Also present was state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
Cheok said many interesting activities and programmes await the visitors during the three-day festival.
“Some of the highlights include a series of interesting talks and sharing sessions to learn more about the Penang Hill, and heritage and nature discovery walks where visitors may explore the hill in the company of knowledgeable guides.
“Other highlights such as photo exhibition will also be held during the three-day event that will bring back fond memories for the old and will be an exciting discovery for the young regarding Penang Hill.
“There are also some musical performances by the esteemed Tonal Alchemy featuring Ray Rozells, Milky Way Chinese Orchestra and Wak Long Music & Art Centre complemented by the natural orchestra sung by the “inhabitants” of Penang Hill,” he added.
Yeoh said this year’s Penang Hill Festival would be a historic and a memorable one.
“This is because we are not only celebrating the hill but also its latest recognition as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve.
“The objectives of the Penang Hill Festival will spur Penang Hill as a great example of environmental and heritage conservation as well as a platform to educate the public on the history of Penang Hill.
“Thus, we are very excited for the PHC’s signature event, Penang Hill Festival, to make a comeback this year.
“And we hope it will provide a thrilling yet memorable experience for our visitors,” said Yeoh.
Cheok said PHC was also looking for fun and energetic individuals to join them as volunteers during the festival.
“Interested individuals may look out for the registration link which will be shared on PHC Facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/mypenanghill,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix courtesy of YB Yeoh’s office