SINCE its inception in 2010, George Town Festival (GTF) has been driven by a mission to promote Penang’s arts, culture and heritage, and importantly, to showcase the city’s charm as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
This year, the festival, organised by Kerson Media Global Sdn Bhd, will take place from July 19 to 28.
The theme for this year is ‘Here and Now’.
In a media conference to officially announce the festival on Apr 19, several other key events took place, including the unveiling of the festival’s key visuals and community engagement programmes lined up throughout the 10 days.
The visuals for this year are designed by a multidisciplinary design studio, called Putticoop.
Its founder Lian Kian Lek, in his speech, said the company has designed a series of five posters based on iconic landmarks, such as the Penang Bridge and Komtar, to offer a striking and refreshing experience that reflects George Town’s colourful diversity and the festival’s new direction.
“The new brand identity aims to appeal to both the local and global community, transforming GTF into a genuinely festive occasion,” Lian said.
Meanwhile, festival director Chin Teo said this year’s edition will place primary importance on getting the involvement of communities through the key community engagement programmes.
“These programmes will involve the collaboration with local arts groups and the transformation of local environments.
“For example, we will have site-specific performances such as Yamsenglah!, Journal of Her House, The Kingdom of Childhood, Journal Creative Market and many others,” she said.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said GTF’s open call for proposals this year drew 364 applications from 56 countries, while the Artist-in-Residence open call attracted 87 artists from 29 countries.
“This overwhelming response is evidence of the festival’s reputation as a sought-after destination for international talents, and its potential to become one of the greatest arts events in Southeast Asia,” Wong said in his speech.
Additionally, a community outreach programme will be brought to the doorsteps of local communities, such as Taman Sri Janggus in Machang Bubok and Bukit Tambun.
Chin thanked the Penang government, Minister of Human Resources and Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim Chee Keong, Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon and Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik for their support.
For more details about the festival, kindly visit the website at www.georgetownfestival.com.
At the event, Wong also expressed his delight after Penang was ranked fourth in the ‘Top 10 Cities for Expats Moving to Asia in 2024’.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Law Suun Ting