THE Penang Bon Odori Festival, not held last year due to the election campaign, returns this year with an exciting line-up of events.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai announced that the festival will take place at the Esplanade on July 27 from 5pm to 11pm.
“The Penang Bon Odori Festival is an annual cultural event celebrating the rich traditions of Japan, supported by the Penang government, the Consulate General of Japan, and several Japanese associations.
“This festival has been celebrated in Japan for centuries and has found a cherished place in Penang’s cultural calendar,” Wong said at a press conference at Komtar today.
The Japanese associations involved include the Malaysian-Japanese Society (MGS), the Penang Japanese Association (PGA), the Japan Graduates’ Association of Malaysia (JAGAM) Northern Branch, the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS), and the Penang Japanese Language Society (PJLS).
Wong added that Penang, as an international city, not only celebrates Bon Odori but also hosts the Thai Festival, German Oktoberfest, European Film Festival, and other cultural events.
He also expressed his gratitude to sponsors, including Ideal Property Group (1st Avenue), S&D Toyota, Canon Marketing Malaysia, Hairstory International & Global Story Academy.
Kawaguchi Yoshiyasu, consul-general of Japan in Penang, said he is proud of the Bon Odori coming back and urged more Penangites to participate in the festival.
JAGAM Northern Branch chairman Shaun Chim expressed his branch’s delight in being part of the festival as the Penang Bon Odori showcases the beauty of Japanese culture.
Two pre-events are lined up to engage and entertain the public: the Miss Bon Odori contest and the Bon Odori Pop-Up Fest.
MGS treasurer Ooi Ean Ping said the closing date for the Miss Penang Bon Odori contest is June 29, with the preliminary round set for 1st Avenue on July 20 and the final round at Esplanade on July 27.
The Bon Odori Pop-Up Fest is a two-day cultural extravaganza featuring food, crafts and performances at 1st Avenue on July 20-21.
The Penang Bon Odori Festival Committee has decided to resume the Miss Bon Odori contest this year after holding it five years ago in 2019. Previously, the committee organised the Miss Yukata contest in 2014 and 2015.
Miss Penang Bon Odori is different from the usual beauty pageant. Judging criteria include Yukata wearing, Japanese Walking presentation, Bon Odori dances, talent showing the Japanese culture, Q&A related to Bon Odori/Japan/Japan Culture and Self-Introduction.
The organisers will conduct workshops and trainings for successful candidates from screening sessions on Bon Odori dances, Yukata wearing and Japanese walking programme.
For more information, please contact Kath Lim (email: [email protected]).
Interested contestants, aged 18 and above, can contact Angie (012-4068660) or Ms Ooi (019-8759618) for more details.
The champion will receive a cash prize of RM1,500, a crown, sash, trophy, 3D2N hotel stay (sponsored by the upcoming hotel, Iyf Georgetown Penang).
The first runner-up will receive RM1,000 while the second runner-up will receive RM700. Miss Photogenic (by Canon) will receive RM300 while Miss Elegant will receive a cash prize of RM300 and an RM300 cash voucher from Hairstory International & Global Story Academy.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud