TWO EVENTS will follow the Sungai Bakap election today in Penang.
A day after the election of a new assemblyman for Sungai Bakap, Penang will host the annual George Town Heritage celebrations marking the 16th year of the Penang capital as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The George Town Festival (GTF) takes place later this month, on July 19-28, while the Penang Hill Festival (PHF) will take place on July 19-21.
The main George Town Heritage celebrations will take place tomorrow, from 5.30pm to 10pm.
"We expect locals and international visitors to be present. There will be plenty of cultural workshops and performances for the public to understand the cultural value of George Town," said state exco for tourism Wong Hon Wai.
GTF director Chin Teo said the state’s diverse communities will be more involved in this year's festival.
“The programmes will involve collaboration with local arts groups and the transformation of the surrounding local environment. For example, we will have site-specific performances such as Yamsenglah!, Journal of Her House, The Kingdom of Childhood, and Journal Creative Market,” she said.
The GTF open call for proposals drew 364 applications from 56 countries, while the artist-in-residence position attracted 87 applicants from 29 countries.
“The overwhelming response is evidence of the festival’s reputation as a sought-after destination for international talents and its potential to be one of the greatest arts events in Southeast Asia,” Wong said.
The visuals were designed by multi-disciplinary design studio Putticoop.
The PHF is a three-day festival to celebrate the natural and cultural icon of Penang. Talks, walks, workshops, and exhibitions will be available for visitors.
Penang Hill Corporation general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng, who will deliver a talk at PHF, said the theme of conservation, as Penang Hill has a lush rainforest, will resonate throughout the event. This year's event is also special as the long-touted Penang Hill cable car project begins its construction phase. Upon completion, it will add another dimension to the hill and the Botanical Gardens, where the main station is located.
The PHF signature event is "Music on the Hill: East Meets West," on July 21. – July 6, 2024.
