Penang’s arts, heritage and cultural credentials will be further cemented with the month-long George Town Festival 2014. Marina Emmanuel highlights several thoughtfully-curated offerings
WHAT began as an anniversary celebration of Penang’s World Heritage inception on July 7, 2008 has today morphed into a showcase of Southeast Asia’s best in art, heritage and culture as visitors throng the annual George Town Festival.
GTF has found its way into the promotional efforts of not only Penang and Malaysia’s tourism authorities but that of airlines, hotels and other businesses which have realised the event’s potential in boosting Penang’s economic growth.
Since the inaugural GTF in 2010, Penang has succeeded in branding itself globally as an arts destination. These include world-class performances, cross-cultural creative collaborations, experimental art, traditional and contemporary performing arts, as well as exciting local community initiatives and public installations.
“Our mission is to become the platform for culture and the arts in Southeast Asia,” says GTF director Joe Sidek, “with a focus on George Town’s unique perspective.”
“For the festival month, the city becomes a canvas for performers and their respective audiences to transform spaces, ranging from auditoriums to five-foot ways and colonial shophouses to sidewalk galleries.”
GTF’s main drive, adds Joe, is to promote while celebrating the best of what George Town has to offer and positioning it as one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant cities.
“Art, culture, heritage (both tangible and intangible) and its people form the key components of GTF, such as the annual community celebration to commemorate the World Heritage listing status, encourages and empowers the local community to work collectively.
“The festival’s role therefore, is to act as a bridge to link art, culture and heritage to tourism, producing a conducive environment to stimulate Penang’s economy and enrich its local culture,” he says.
Revel in compelling art, culture and heritage events come Aug 1 when the celebrations take off.
While moving along the streets of George Town, its cute cafes and bistros are not to be missed. Whether it is a pit-stop for an ice-cold drink or coffee and cake, or to enjoy heritage food, several tried and tested establishments have made their way on the go-to lists of regulars such as China House along Lebuh Pantai where its gula melaka ice-cream and milkshakes are only some of desserts which lend respite to those on the heritage trail.
If its bakery table featuring 30 different cakes daily is not enough by way of sustenance, the savoury pies, pastries and dishes are reason to keep returning.
Along the Street of Harmony — Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling — where houses of worship like Masjid Kapitan Keling, Kuan Yin Temple, St. George’s Church, Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Church of the Assumption and clan temples are found at various turns, food options continue.
The Chin-Chai Chiak Cafe — located close to Kapitan Keling mosque — is a homey spot which can accommodate only 12 people and offers local favourites like Hainanese chicken chop and chicken pie, crab laksa and nasi lemak, along with a host of home-baked cakes and desserts.
Penang’s famed nasi kandar is also found along this stretch, along with banana leaf fare and sweet meats in nearby Little India.
George Town Festival 2014 begins Friday, Aug 1 in various locations in Penang. Details at www.georgetownfestival.com