A JOINT nomination for Malaysia’s culturally significant Lion Dance and Chingay Parade has been submitted to UNESCO for inclusion in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This was announced by State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai via a press statement on April 4.
“The nomination dossiers for both the Lion Dance and the Chingay Parade have been officially submitted to UNESCO for consideration to be inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
“The Lion Dance nomination is a collaborative effort between Malaysia and China, while the Chingay Parade is a joint effort by Malaysia and Singapore.
“The outcome of these nominations will be announced by UNESCO by the end of 2026. If accepted, these traditional arts will gain global recognition,” Wong added.
According to Wong, the state government has collaborated with the National Heritage Department of Malaysia and the Department of National Heritage of the People’s Republic of China to complete the documentary required for the Lion Dance nomination.
“Meanwhile,the Chingay Parade nomination is a joint effort involving Penang, Johor, and Singapore.
“The Chingay Parade, a vibrant cultural event featuring lion and dragon dances, cultural performances, floats, and more, is held annually in Penang, Johor, and Singapore to celebrate community spirit,” he said.
Wong also shared that historical records from ‘The Straits Times’ dating back to 1883 highlight Penang’s longstanding tradition of Chingay.
“What began as a religious celebration within the local Chinese community has since evolved into a state-supported tourism event, attracting thousands of residents and tourists to the streets of Penang each year.
“The state government, through the office of the Sate Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE), has been actively involved in preserving this cultural heritage.
“Representatives have participated in workshops to prepare the nomination dossiers for both the Lion Dance and the Chingay Parade, with the aim of gaining international recognition.
“As part of this initiative, a workshop was held in Guangzhou, China, to further the cause.Penang’s involvement in international cultural exchanges continues to grow.
“The state government remains committed to preserving and promoting these invaluable elements of intangible cultural heritage, ensuring that the rich traditions of Chingay continue to thrive for future generations,” he said.
It is learned that the Penang Chingay delegation, recently participated in the Singapore Chingay Parade. During the event, Wong met with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, further strengthening the cultural ties between the two nations.
“We take pride in this joint effort and remain committed to preserving and promoting these invaluable elements of our intangible cultural heritage,” he added.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix courtesy of PETACE