PENANG now has its own Bon Odori song, titled ‘Penang Sakura Ondo! Mari Mari!!’
This Japanese song was highlighted by a group of Pink Hibiscus Club members as they danced gracefully to its tune during the opening ceremony of the Penang Yosakoi 2019 at the Esplanade on March 9.
When translated into English, it talks about Penang as a World Heritage City and a wonderful cultural melting pot, George Town’s Wall Art, Blue Mansion and Peranakan Mansion. The song also urges all to dance together with the Sakura in full bloom.
The lyrics also describe Penang as a food paradise with special mention about laksa, petai, durians and nyonya cuisine.
It also tells of Penang having an abundant nature and resorts on the beach and Penang Hill.
Penang Yosakoi 2019 organising chairman Emi Yamazaki, who is also the Pink Hibiscus president, said the song was inspired by a project launched recently to create a Sakura attraction in Penang this year.
“The song was created through a collaboration between Japanese and Malaysian artists, composers, lyricists and choreographers,” she said.
According to Yamazaki, they are seeking sponsors to take part in the ‘Penang Sakura 333 Tree Planting Project’ to help plant 333 Penang Sakura trees to beautify Penang and also to create Penang’s own Sakura season.
State executive councillor Chong Eng, who officiated the Penang Yosakoi 2019, also took part in the Penang Sakura Ondo! Mari Mari!! dance together with the Consul-General of Japan Shinichiro Kanoya and his wife Machiko Kanoya, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (Motac) Penang office director Jonathan Freddy and Penang Island City Council representative Rashidah Jalaluddin.
“I’m very pleased that the Penang Yosakoi has evolved and grown. It gives the opportunity to the people of Penang and Malaysia to foster their spirit of creativity and participation.
“There are many levels of collaboration between the citizens of our country and Japan to work towards a caring, global and inclusive community necessary for a peaceful and brighter future,” Chong Eng said in her speech.
Yamazaki applauded the presence of 800 performers representing eight prefectures from 18 cities and 200 volunteers from Japan, Hong Kong, United Kingdom and states from Malaysia like Penang, Kedah, Johor and Terengganu.
“The 800 performers come here on their own expense due to their love for Yosakoi and Japanese culture,” Yamazaki said.
“This year, we even have a team of senior citizens whose average age is 70. So, this is to show you that the Yosakoi is not just for the young but also for anybody regardless of age and style.
“Now in every Penang Yosakoi, we try our best to achieve our two objectives. First of which is collaboration and the second is creativity.”
The Yosakoi event, which originated from the city of Kochi on the island of Shikoku, involves cultural dances and to have fun at night, as Yosakoi means ‘Come at Night’ in the local dialect.
This was the sixth year that Penang Yosakoi was celebrated.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Nur Afiqah Zainudi
