Lanterns are already up in George Town’s heritage enclave ahead of Penang’s Chinese New Year event, Miao Hui. — Photos: KT GOH/The Star
SHUTTERBUGS looking for a scarlet theme in a colonial streetscape will have a field day in the heritage enclave within George Town, Penang.
The yearly big, red lanterns are up – earlier than in most places – and if you angle your street view just right, you can frame them beautifully for a shot.
They have been put up as decorations for Miao Hui, which is also known as Penang’s Chinese New Year celebration.
Master planner Chong Jian Mei said 2,000 lanterns now adorned several streets in the heritage area.
“To minimise traffic congestion, the installation began late this month, with work carried out only at night,” he said.
Several streets in George Town will be closed to traffic for the celebration on Feb 1.
These same streets will be closed to traffic for Miao Hui on Feb 1 (fourth day of the Chinese lunar calendar).
“The lanterns will remain until mid-February, but we will remove some earlier to accommodate decorations for Thaipusam, which will be celebrated on Feb 11 in the area,” he added.
Chong said Armenian Park would be a focal point for the decorations, with a stage already set up for the festivities.
A lighting ceremony took place last night at 8pm.
This year’s Miao Hui event themed “Penang Lang, Let’s Celebrate!” is expected to attract around 200,000 attendees.
Armenian Park is the focal point for cultural festivities.
The event aims to showcase the rich heritage of Penang’s Chinese community through traditional performances including lion dances as well as Chinese opera and cultural demonstrations such as calligraphy, paper-cutting and tea ceremonies.
Visitors can also enjoy vibrant street parades, traditional food stalls and interactive activities that celebrate the diversity and history of Chinese traditions.
Several temples have joined in and adorned their premises with additional decorations, creating a festive atmosphere.
Elsewhere in the state, Chinese New Year decorations are still in the works.
Batu Lanchang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong said decorations in his constituency would only be up tomorrow while Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan said festive decor in her area would be completed soon.
Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim said decorations in her constituency were scheduled to be up on Jan 6, while Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng said his team had received but had not yet installed their red lanterns.
