THE Penang Harmony Corporation will host a special programme, called Penang Harmony Celebration, from Aug 31 to Sept 21 this year.
As Malaysia draws closer to celebrating its 67th Independence Day on Aug 31 and 61st Malaysia Day on Sept 16, the timing of PHC’s latest initiative could not be more fitting.
State Social Development, Welfare, and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said this year’s Penang Harmony Celebration will signify deeper meaning than just highlighting the two important events for Malaysia.
“Being a state that is home to various religious and cultural festivities, Penang aims to use this event to demonstrate how Penang, as part of Malaysia, embodies the joy and strength of living together in harmony, celebrating our diverse cultures.
“Penang Harmony Celebration represents the spirit of how our community and Harmonico work together to celebrate and uphold harmony.
“It is not just an event but a testament to our shared commitment to fostering unity and celebrating the diverse cultural tapestry that makes Penang special.
“This is why we call it the Harmony Celebration — because it truly embodies the collective effort and joy of our community working in harmony.
“We aspire to ensure the Penang Harmony Celebration not only continues but further develops as a significant event for fostering harmony in diversity and inclusivity in Penang,” Lim said in her speech during a media conference to announce the programme at Penang Harmony Centre or Harmonico at Jalan Scotland in George Town today.
The celebration will feature various programmes, including 21 meditation sessions and workshops, a street harmony photo competition, and an exploration tour at the Streets of Harmony.
The meditation sessions and workshops will include traditional and contemporary meditation practices by the faith community and spiritual organisations.
Participants can also join the photo competition, where they will be required to capture meaningful photos from their visits to places of worship in Penang that tell a story.
The photo competition, which will begin on Aug 31, will be extended until Oct 31 to give participants more time to explore and experience the Streets of Harmony, prompting more engagement and discovery.
According to Penang Harmony Corporation general manager Paul Au Chong Yee, the key highlight of the celebration will be the exploration of tours of the Streets of Harmony.
Currently, these include George Town, Seberang Jaya, and Bukit Mertajam, each offering its own unique charm and cultural richness.
“To fully experience these vibrant areas, we will be organising guided tours of all three Streets of Harmony on weekends throughout September.
“On Sept 7, Harmonico will open the doors of its Jelajah Harmoni programme, which is typically reserved for high school students, to a broader audience.
“This experiential cultural education initiative will take place at the Streets of Harmony in Seberang Jaya,” Au said in his speech.
The exploration tours are expected to be conducted in all four languages, namely Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese, and Tamil.
For more information and updates about the celebration, please visit Harmonico’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/harmonico.my or their Instagram and TikTok platforms respectively.
Religious leaders of various faiths were present earlier to grace the media conference.
Also present earlier was Chief Minister Incorporated general manager Datin S. Bharathi.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian