THE highly anticipated George Town Festival 2023 (GTF 2023) officially kicked off at Majestic Theatre in George Town today.
The 14th edition of GTF 2023 will be from today (July 15) until July 30, featuring a diverse range of events and activities across 20 locations across the cityscapes of George Town and wider Penang.
Caretaker Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who officiated the opening ceremony of GTF 2023, said GTF 2023 has over 50 programmes and events across eight categories.
“The 16-day festival will also present a myriad of outstanding artistic works by Malaysian and international artists, featuring productions across varied art forms ranging from traditional, contemporary, experimental and multidisciplinary.
“This will allow festival-goers to encounter new and original works which contribute to the growth of the national and regional arts industry.
“All this will make this year’s festival the most exciting iteration in recent years, bringing tangible and intangible heritage through continued global artistic partnership and exchange.
“I am also glad to know that this year, the festival has persevered in growing as a people-centric avenue by ensuring that over 70% of its programmes and events have free access, thus providing greater accessibility for people to engage with the arts,” Chow said in his speech.
According to Chow, the pre-festival programmes of GTF 2023 that were held in Seberang Perai early this month, namely, ‘Macam Macam Berapit’ and ‘Sounds from the East’, drew an impressive audience of over 15,000.
The positive response indicates the unifying power of such events, bringing together people of different generations and backgrounds.
Chow anticipated a crowd of more than 150,000 festival goers, local audiences and tourists who will be flocking to Penang just to be a part of the GTF 2023 experience.
This wide reach allows for increased participation and a more personal connection to the festival.
“This is truly a testament to George Town Festival as a festival for everyone!” he said.
Chow added that for the past 14 years, the state has greatly benefitted from the impact of the George Town Festival.
The festival has attracted homegrown artists, creatives and international art practitioners who have chosen Penang as their creative hub.
Chow also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to recognising George Town Festival as an influential voice in the local and regional arts scene.
He explained the state government has invested much over the years to continue its dedication to encouraging and advancing the position of the George Town Festival.
He assured continued support and investment to nurture the festival’s role in creating spaces for new and original works.
Also present during the GTF 2023 opening ceremony were caretaker Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, former Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee and GTF director Jack Wong.
Yeoh said over the years, with the support from the Penang government, the vibrant and diverse arts scene in the state has received increased attention.
“This is proven when many of our cultural and creative attractions, such as museums, festivals, and numerous arts-oriented events have managed to attract tourists from local and abroad.
“One key event in Penang’s annual calendar that has significantly promoted the local and international arts and culture scene is none other than the George Town Festival.
“This festival is committed to promoting creativity and originality, catalysing new and experimental works for festival-goers.
“Creative industries have the potential to generate a considerable amount of economy for Penang and Malaysia as a whole,” Yeoh said.
For more information about GTF 2023, visit https://georgetownfestival.com/2023/ or GTF Facebook page at George Town Festival | Facebook.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Siew Chia En
Video by Law Suun Ting