THE Penang Chingay Parade 2024, scheduled for Dec 28 (Saturday) from 6pm to 11pm, will showcase 42 teams participating in the iconic procession.
The parade will start from Padang Brown on Datuk Keramat Road and end at the Esplanade, featuring an exciting mix of performances, including giant flag displays, dragon and lion dances, brass band performances, martial arts, and traditional Malay and Indian dances.
Organised by the office of the Penang State Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE), in collaboration with George Town World Heritage Incorporated, the Wushu, Lion and Dragon Dance Association of Penang, and the Penang Chingay Association, the event is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC).
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee Chairman Wong Hon Wai revealed that this year’s parade would include several new elements, such as the Northern Lion Dance, Pixiu, Qilin, and Five Prosperity Lions, in addition to the traditional Southern Lion Dance.
“We aim to introduce fresh ideas into the festival each year. In China, different provinces feature various types of lion dances. This year, we are incorporating the Northern Lion Dance, Pixiu, Qilin, and Five Prosperity Lions,” said Wong.
“This highlights Penang’s rich and evolving lion dance culture. If you’ve never seen the majestic Northern Lions or the auspicious Pixiu and Qilin, don’t miss this opportunity.
“We allow the local teams from the island and mainland to infuse new ideas into their respective Penang Chingay Parade 2024. Together, we aim to present a celebration where tradition meets creativity, showcasing Penang’s vibrancy while fostering the growth of our creative economy,” Wong said.
A special highlight this year will be the participation of a Kebaya troupe. The participants will dress in beautiful Kebaya attire and ride on trishaws, celebrating Penang’s cultural heritage. This addition follows the recent inclusion of the Kebaya on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, in collaboration with Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and Thailand.
It also serves as a prelude to the ongoing efforts for chingay (joint application by Malaysia and Singapore) and lion dance (joint application by Malaysia and China) to gain UNESCO recognition.
The mainland Penang Chingay Parade will take place a week earlier, on Dec 21 (Saturday) from 7.30pm to 11pm. The procession will start at Padang MBSP Bagan Luar in Butterworth and move through lively streets before reaching the main stage at the Tow Boo Kong Butterworth Temple.
Wong noted that a new feature for the Butterworth parade will include a performance featuring ‘White and Green’ snakes, in celebration of the Chinese Year of the Snake in 2025.
Back on the island, the Penang Grocers’ Association, which stole the show last year, will return with their popular unicycle performance and the comedic ‘Squabbling Couple,’ also known as the ‘Tomb Brother and Tomb Sister’ act, promising plenty of laughter and excitement.
The grand finale at the Esplanade will include an exhilarating lion dance on stilts, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display to conclude Penang Chingay 2024.
Also present at the press conference were Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, Penang Island City Council councillor Benji Ang, vice organising chairman Johnny Chee, Wushu, Lion and Dragon Dance Association president Datuk H’ng Ban Choon, Penang Chingay Association chairman Ooi Thean Huat, parade coordinator Koid Peng Guan and GTWHI Communications and Collaborations Department manager Vick Quah Swee Leang.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting