GEORGE TOWN World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) will kickstart the month of July with George Town Heritage Celebrations on the evening of July 6, followed by the George Town Heritage Walk on July 7.
George Town Festival will then be held for 16 days, from July 13 to 28.
“The state government will promote July 2019 as the Month of Arts, Culture and Heritage.
“As we embrace the 10th anniversary of George Town Festival, the state government has committed to sponsor RM3 million in organising George Town Festival 2019,” state Tourism Development, Heritage, Culture and Arts Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin told reporters today when announcing the George Town Festival 2019.
Yeoh added that his department had received nine proposals from the Request For Proposals (RFP) for the Festival Management and Production for George Town Festival 2019 – 2020 that was announced in September 2018.
“The GTWHI board of directors made the decision to award the management of George Town Festival 2019 and 2020 to TLM Event Sdn Bhd. They will provide you with more details of the festival programmes later.
“Among the initiatives that we are introducing is ensuring that 70% of the festival events are free-to-attend events so that everyone will have the chance to participate in the festival.
“We will provide an international platform for local artists and promote these talents to the world by ensuring 40% of the festival programmes are from the locals,” Yeoh said, adding that the team would continue to work hard and show the world the best of our arts, culture and heritage.”
He commented that embracing the theme ‘A Festival For Everyone’ this year, it is hoped that everyone can find a piece of work which is relatable to themselves at George Town Festival 2019.
Also present were GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng and TLM Event managing director Jack Wong.
Meanwhile, Ang said George Town Festival would continue its momentum as the region’s leading festival and expose George Town to local and international programming, giving our communities a chance to indulge in an eye-opening and truly memorable festival experience.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan.