THE 2023 Penang Aki Matsuri Festival will take place this Saturday (Nov 18) and Sunday (Nov 19) from 11.00am to 6.00pm at The TOP Penang.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the 2023 Penang Aki Matsuri Festival is to be held to make up for the Bon Odori festival which was postponed this year.
“We had to postpone the Bon Odori in Penang this year because it was nearing the state elections then. The Bon Odori is usually held in July,” Wong told a media conference in Komtar today.
The Aki Matsuri Festival was first introduced in Penang back in 2019. It serves as a platform to bridge gaps between the Japanese and Malaysian communities through the power of culture and artistry.
It is also an annual traditional Japanese festival celebrating the harvests and Autumn seasons.
The 2023 Penang Aki Matsuri Festival is organised by the Malaysian Japanese Society with the support of the Penang government, Penang Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE) Office, Consulate-General of Japan in Penang (CGJP), Penang Japanese Association (PJA), and The TOP Penang.
This year’s Aki Matsuri Festival in Penang will feature 20 stalls promoting a myriad of Japanese cuisines, handmade handicrafts, Yukata-wearing experiences, and Japanese home decor and souvenirs. There will also be origami and kirigami workshops.
Visitors can enjoy the interactive Aki Matsuri dance and Taiko drum performance at the festival. Thirteen local and Japanese community groups will be performing during the two-day festival.
The visitors also stand a chance to win prizes including 200 pieces of cash vouchers from Sushi King.
Admission is free.
The Consul-General of Japan in Penang, Kawaguchi Yoshiyasu, highlighted that the festival commemorates the 40th Anniversary of Malaysia’s Look East Policy, symbolising the strengthened diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Japan initiated during Tun Dr Mahathir’s administration.
“Since its introduction in 2019, this festival has brought Penangites and Japanese closer, allowing both communities to better understand each other’s cultures.
“We look forward to fostering closer ties with Penang through this festival,” Kawaguchi remarked.
Also present was the Consul of Japan in Penang Kobayashi Masamori, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, deputy organising chairpersons Angie Lim and Ooi Ean Ping, and the representatives from The TOP Penang.
Story by Norman Sim
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar