GEORGE TOWN: THE city of George Town was transformed into one big festival for two days of the recent Unesco World Heritage Site sixth anniversary celebration.
Thousands thronged the inner city to visit the handicraft and food booths, cultural and art exhibitions and take part in games and activities.
The programme featured evens mostly related to culture and tradition.
The star lantern-making session, held at Masjid Kapitan Keling, drew about 150 to the largest mosque in the city.
Hundreds more attended another session to learn how to make their own Raya postcards, to be sent to relatives and friends, on the yard of the mosque.
Other handicraft demonstrations included ketupat-weaving, thatched roof-making, kolam decorating, Phetchaburi craft-making, wood carving, Nyonya manik-beading, batik-making, origami, henna painting, and stone painting.
There were also talks on traditional crafts, a calligraphy exhibition and community events such as open houses.
The buka puasa and Terawih prayer event at Masjid Melayu in Lebuh Acheh attracted hundreds of visitors, including non-Muslims.
Christina Bean, 42, from England, said she had fallen in love with the city and the community.
“The event was lively and magnificent. I will come back again for the next celebration,” she said.
The Gibson family from Sydney, Australia, meanwhile, arrived just in time for the anniversary celebration.
Michael Gibson, 52, his wife Janine Gibson, and daughter Emelia Gibson, had decided to visit George Town at this particular time to gain better insight into Malaysian culture.
“We will stop in Kuala Lumpur before heading home.
“Penang is our first choice because we enjoy looking at historical buildings, especially those with distinct architecture, and browsing for antiques. I am lucky to experience the sights and sounds here,” said Michael.
The George Town World Heritage Site celebration has been organised yearly since 2010 by George Town World Heritage Incorporated to mark the city’s inscription as a Unesco World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.
This year’s theme “Living Legacies” is a departure from the usual programme of entertainment featured in the celebration. The organiser had instead focused on arts and handicraft.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng launched the event at the Town Hall in Padang Kota Lama.