A SEA of visitors thronged Penang Hill to attend the special concert ‘Music on the Hill – East Meets West’ at the Dataran, Penang Hill Upper Station, today.
The much-anticipated concert was part of the three-day Penang Hill Festival (PHF), which concludes today.
The concert showcased a splendid mix of musical performances that wowed the crowd. It featured mesmerising performances by five well-known dance and singing groups from 3pm to 6pm.
The groups included BhaavaNarthana Natyalaya, Penang Youth Orchestra, Culture Shot, Wak Long Music and Art Centre, and Sada Borneo.
Award-winning singer-songwriter Jimmy Fong also performed at the concert.
The unique concert performances complemented the natural sounds of the hill’s surroundings.
Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng noted that various activities had been meticulously prepared for the three-day festival.
“Among them are workshops, talks, guided tours, and exhibitions.
“Today, we witness the best of our local talents through one of the Penang Hill Festival’s best highlights, ‘Music on the Hill – East Meets West.’
“We hope our visitors will enjoy these amazing performances,” Cheok said in his speech.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, who officiated the concert, expressed his enjoyment of the event.
“I am happy to see our local talents shine. It is my hope that the local creative industry will continue to flourish in the state.
“Let us shower more love and support on our local artistes,” he said.
Wong highlighted that the annual Penang Hill Festival has become one of the state’s iconic events.
“My office, together with Penang Global Tourism (PGT), will continue to collaborate with the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry (Motac) to promote PHF across the country and abroad.
“After all, the festival will also help position Penang Hill as a great example of environmental and heritage conservation, as well as a platform to educate the public on its history.
“Congratulations to PHC for successfully organising this fifth edition of the Penang Hill Festival. We hope that Penang Hill will continue to provide a thrilling yet memorable experience for our visitors,” he said.
Also present were Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Air Putih assemblyman Lim Guan Eng, and Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat