Gasper (third from left) chatting with guests at one of the stalls during Penang Eurasian Heritage Fiesta 2022. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star
FOOD and music brought people together at the Penang Eurasian Heritage Fiesta 2022.
Time-honoured favourites like devil curry, salted fish pickle, lamb pie and sugee cake went down a treat as family and friends revelled in each other’s company.
Live bands belted out one joyful melody after another and kept the crowd entertained throughout the event, which was held at St Xavier’s Institution, Lebuh Farquhar in George Town.
Many visitors also took the opportunity to buy cakes, biscuits and other homemade treats prepared by members of the community.
Penang Eurasian Association president Datuk Aloysius Gasper said it was the fiesta’s eight edition but the first since the Covid-19 pandemic started. Prior to this, it was held annually from 2013 to 2019.
“It’s mainly to celebrate the Eurasian community’s arrival in Penang on Aug 15, 1786, just days after Captain Francis Light took formal possession of the island.
“We were the first Catholic community here.
“Besides that, Aug 15 is also the Feast of the Assumption and that’s how the Church of the Assumption got its name,” Gasper shared.
He said the onus was also on them to preserve and pass on the Eurasian culture to future generations.
“If we do not take pride and ownership of our heritage, then who will? With things returning to normalcy, we hope more and more people will join in the celebrations each year.
“Penang is such a beautiful place because of its diverse peoples. And we should celebrate a community that has been a key part of its history,” Gasper noted.
He and organising chairperson Penny Theseira later took state local government, housing, town and country planning committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee Chun Kit and George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee on a tour of the stalls.
They also tried the devil curry, whose curious moniker is believed to derive from the word debal which means leftover in the Kristang creole language spoken by people of mixed Portuguese and Malay ancestry in Melaka.
It was originally served at the end of the year and made out of leftovers from the Christmas meal, but is now a regular item in Eurasian homes and made from fresh ingredients.
“The spiciness of the dish makes it rather devilish too. It’s a must-have at any Eurasian function.
“Every household has its own recipe and everyone’s mother’s recipe is usually the best!” Gasper added.
The fiesta, which ended around midnight, also featured a sugee cake competition, beer drinking contest and lucky draws. — By JEREMY TAN
More photos
Theseira showing a pack of devil curry sold with pandan-infused rice.
Live bands entertaining the crowd with upbeat numbers.
