OVER 100 associations or societies will be taking part in the 2020 Penang CNY Celebration (Miaohui) next year (2020).
To add excitement to the celebration, 14 locations have been earmarked to set up stages and performance areas.
Twenty-three ancestral halls or associations at the heritage precinct are scheduled to open their doors during the celebration.
The celebration is expected to attract some 200,000 visitors, who will be thronging the heritage precinct of George Town from 4pm to 11pm on Feb 2 next year (2020).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the celebration was one of the highlights in the state’s tourism calendar.
“It has been a signature event for Penang. Since its inception in 1999, the celebration has blossomed into one that is widely known to the public; a close collaboration between non-governmental organisations and the state government.
“It is not just a one-day celebration. It serves as a platform for everyone to appreciate the meaningful cultural events and heritage,” he said.
Chow said the state had been encouraging and supporting the people to organise significant cultural events.
Also present were Penang Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, state Women and Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness and Religions Other than Islam Committee chairman Chong Eng, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng and Penang Chinese Clan Council chairman Datuk Yeap Beow Chong.
The celebration is organised by the Penang Chinese Clan Council and coordinated by the Penang Cultural Inheritors Society. The celebration is endorsed by the Penang government.
Those who are interested to take up a booth or to perform during the event can call event master planner Choo Boon Chiang at 012-438 7796.
Business organisations who wish to provide financial aid to support the celebration can contact Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng at 016-445 9808.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi