We are living heritage and culture, GTWHI tells Penangites

GEORGE TOWN – Despite heaving a sigh of relief as Penang moves on to Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) tomorrow which coincides with George Town World Heritage Day, there will be no celebration on the streets. 

On the activities to be conducted for the celebrations this year, George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee said that the festival will showcase online programmes. 

These include audio-immersive theatre, digital theatre, a concert, short film and docudrama screenings, sharing sessions, and workshops from July 10 to July 18. 

More importantly, Ang told The Vibes that the people of Penang need to realise that they are the living heritage that provides the diverse culture and heritage of George Town. 

“This time around, I think we need to realise that we can celebrate ourselves and how far we have come after being in lockdown for 18 months. 

“We often forget that we are the true living heritage. And by protecting ourselves, masking up and following the SOPs, we are also protecting our heritage and culture. 

“I say this because heritage we have is how we live our lives, the knowledge of our culture, speaking our mother tongue, the way we practice our religion, the traditional food that we consume. When we look into ourselves, we find the answer to our diverse heritage and culture. Our diversity is our asset,” she said. 

Thus, to commemorate George Town World Heritage Day, she suggests practising our religion, realising our identity by strengthening our relationships with family members and being aware of the heritage and culture present in the food we eat. 

She also encourages those who can afford to spend to support local businesses through the 7/7 Heritage Day Sales Campaign. It is a proactive approach by GTWHI to promote products from 21 stores in George Town and Penang to a wider market and enhance collaboration with the private sector. 

The #GeorgeTownHeritage Photo Contest was also launched to raise awareness on the diversity of George Town’s cultural heritage through photographs and stories from the public. 

Meanwhile, Ang will be representing George Town Heritage City in the upcoming World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum scheduled to be held online from tomorrow until July 13. 

As a resource person and speaker in the Forum, she will be highlighting George Town’s experience on Covid- 19 responses. 

“The world will move on despite the pandemic. And GTWHI is committed to championing a community-based risk reduction approach to brace ourselves for the challenges and embrace change. Cultural heritage has been and will continue to be our asset to regain normality. We need to work collectively to overcome the challenges during this extraordinary time. 

“We are currently one of the most visible heritage sites in the world, though our international borders are closed. 

“Through lobbying, presenting George Town to the World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum and maintaining the momentum, I can say, we are not only on the map – we are one of the best,” she said. 

Ang will be attending and presenting George Town to the world at the 44th World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum from tomorrow. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang, as the cultural hub of Malaysia, has demonstrated that people are capable of adapting and embracing change. 

“This is an extraordinary time with extraordinary challenges. Yet we see people of different ethnicities and cultural and religious backgrounds adapting to their traditional practices and daily life.

"Cultural activities and religious ceremonies have turned home-based. Digital platforms [are] being brought in to maintain a sense of community togetherness. 

“Local businesses, including long-term trades such as Hameediyah Restaurant (established since 1907) and Kwongtuck Sundries (established since 1836), are branding their products on digital platforms. [They are] fully utilising e-wallet and delivery services to promote their businesses. 

“These businesses may have been established more than 100 years ago, but they remain competitive today because they can embrace change for tomorrow,” he said in a statement today. 

Though GTWHI had planned celebratory activities to be carried out tomorrow (July 7), it was called off due to the movement control order (MCO). George Town was inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008, based on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of cultural diversity embodied and embedded in living heritage and built heritage. – The Vibes, July 6, 2021