WHY travel the world when you can experience the world in Penang?
Ever heard these lines before? It is not exactly a myth considering Penang’s efforts in the past and now to give its people the best experience possible through multiple cultural festivals that are widely celebrated across the globe.
And this year, the Bon Odori Festival, a festival that’s regarded as unique and iconic here in Penang, is coming back, physically, and is ready to attract 50,000 visitors!
This is one festival that draws interest from people of various backgrounds, irrespective of their race and religion.
There’s no way one could miss it as it will be happening at one of George Town’s famous and common spots for family leisure time, the Esplanade.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the Bon Odori Festival is viewed so special here in Penang as it signifies the testament to the good relationship and friendship that Japan and Penang have been sharing for a very long time.
“This (Bon Odori Festival) is one of the key tourism products here which attracts people from all walks of life, enabling them to better understand the Japanese culture.
“It is also in line with our Penang2030 vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’.
“Preparations are ongoing at the site, which include putting up decorations, lanterns, setting up replicas of some famous Japanese architectures and so on.
“We hope after the two-year hiatus due to Covid, visitors will have a splendid time with their loved ones this weekend,” Yeoh told Buletin Mutiara during a recent interview at his office in Komtar.
The festival is a traditional Japanese event celebrated with dances and drum performances to honour ancestral spirits.
The event has been held in Penang for over 20 years.
This year’s festival will be jointly organised by Yeoh’s office and the Japanese consulate-general office.
Scheduled to take place from 5pm to 11pm this Saturday (July 30), there will be more than 100 stalls selling a variety of local and Japanese foods, as well as a line-up of cultural activities and a ghost house.
It is free for all.
Fireworks are expected to start at 10pm.
Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and his consort Toh Puan Khadijah Mohd Noor, as well as Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, will be present on Saturday to officiate the festival.
Separately, several individuals were interviewed as they shared their excitement about the upcoming festival.
Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi said this year’s festival would be extra special as many people are looking forward to it after being able to celebrate it for the past two years.
“This event is the staple of our state’s multiculturalism.
“People from various races and religions can enjoy this cultural festival freely, and the multiculturalism and tolerance are exactly the strength of Penang as one of the developing states in Malaysia,” he said.
Meanwhile, a long-time Japanese resident in Penang, Emi Yamazaki, said that she is truly looking forward to this year’s festival.
“I hope that by coming out to embrace the outdoor after two years, we can show that we will not let the virus or lockdowns beat our human spirit,” she said.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix courtesy of Petace’s office and interviewees