ONE of the vibrant festivals celebrated in Penang, the Vasakhi Celebration, is set to take place this month on April 26, from 6 pm to 11 pm at Padang Kota Lama.
Penang Harmony Corporation (Harmonico) general manager Paul Au, said that with the change of venue this year, the event is expected to draw a larger crowd.
The Penang Vasakhi Open House is organised by Persatuan Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Pulau Pinang in collaboration with the state government through Harmonico. It is also supported by state Tourism and Creative Economy (Petace) office and Sikh Naujwan Sabha, Penang branch.
According to Au, preparations for the festival are currently 80% to 90% complete.
“For the first time, the celebration will be held at Padang Kota Lama, a public venue, instead of the usual location at Fort Cornwallis in previous years.
“Free vegetarian food will be served at the event, which will also feature cultural performances by the Sikh community and a special presentation by Santana Riderz MC.
“They will showcase their escort formation for their ‘Guru’ (spiritual leader) and provide an explanation to the public as an educational initiative,” he told Buletin Mutiara when contacted on April 9.
Au said that previously, the festival was also celebrated at two other venues, including New World Park and Penang Times Square.
It is learned that April 14 is the actual day of the Vaisakhi celebration, which marks the New Year for the Sikh community. The day also commemorates Guru Gobind Singh’s initiation of the Khalsa, a community of warriors dedicated to defending their faith against oppression.
Meanwhile, Au also highlighted that, Harmonico’s partnership with the various religious organisations in organising their respective festivals is about celebrating the diversity.
“The most recent collaboration was the two-day ‘Tao Cultural Celebration’ held in Guan Yin Ting Dou Mu Gong Temple in Butterworth, featuring various exhibitions and performances.
“We facilitate the organisation of state-level religious festivals, some of which have been celebrated long before the establishment of Penang Harmonico.
“However, we serve as a bridge between religious-based organisations and the state government,” he added.
Au shared that Harmonico had also organised a cultural event for the Baháʼí community, known as Baháʼí Intercalary Day.
“Following the Vasakhi Day Celebration, Harmonico will also be involved with the Wesak Day Celebration.
“For other festivities, such as Deepavali, Chinese New Year, and Hari Raya, we organise community-level celebrations in collaboration with the respective religious organisations.
“This is because, a state-level celebration are usually organised for these festivals,” Au added.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Law Suun Ting & Alissala Thian