AFTER two years of low-key Chap Goh Meh celebration due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Penang, it is scheduled to make a grand comeback this Sunday (Feb 5).
It will be a double joy this Sunday as Chap Goh Meh coincides with the Thaipusam celebration.
Chap Goh Meh, also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day, marks the 15th and final day of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
In the old days, young, unmarried women were forbidden from going out except on Chap Goh Meh when they would throw oranges into lakes, rivers or seas to help them find husbands.
Esplanade in Penang is one of the favourite spots where the tradition of orange throwing is still continued, albeit with a modern twist with the participants writing their phone numbers, email addresses or social media details on the oranges.
State Chinese Penang Association president Datuk Seri Tan Gin Soon told Buletin Mutiara that two dondang sayang troupes would be featured.
“There will be two floats heading from Gurney Drive to Esplanade during the procession, arriving at about 7pm.
“Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow is also expected to be present during a dinner at Lot 33 in Prangin Mall a day earlier on Feb 4,” he said.
Also, the state, through the Penang Tourism and Creative Economy office, will organise ‘Experience Penang Chap Goh Meh 2023’ at Esplanade on Feb 5 from 6pm to 11pm. This will be followed by a fireworks display at 11pm.
Various attractive programmes will be held during the night as the organisers are anticipating thousands of people to flock to the place.
Over at the mainland, another Chap Goh Meh event will take place at Rumah Berhala Guan Yin Ting Dou Mu Gong in Butterworth.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting