Chow (right), Teh (white shirt) and organisers promoting the 2023 Penang Chinese New Year Celebration (Miao Hui) at the press conference at Komtar, Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
THE 24th Penang Chinese New Year Celebration (Miao Hui) is ready to make a colourful splash after two years of virtual celebrations.
It will be held in a physical form in 2023, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told a press conference at Komtar.
The celebration will be organised by the Penang Chinese Clan Council with Penang Cultural Inheritors Society providing assistance in planning and coordinating the activities.
Chow urged the public, especially the younger generation, to join the Miao Hui celebration as volunteers.
“We need to learn more about our cultural heritage and broaden our horizons. This is an opportunity to improve ourselves,” he said.
Chow said the event was estimated to cost about RM800,000 and the state government would allocate RM200,000 for the event.
He called on the public and corporate sector to contribute towards Miao Hui.
The event will feature about 150 food and beverage stalls and about 100 others selling cultural handicraft items.
To add to the festive cheer, 23 Chinese clan associations will also organise their own open houses during the event.
The one-day celebration, expected to draw about 200,000 visitors, will be held on Jan 28 from 4pm to 11pm at the heritage enclave areas from the Esplanade to Khoo Kongsi.
The crowd can watch cultural dances and other performances by the clan houses participating in the event.
Penang Chinese Clan Association Council chairman Leong Keng Fei said the Miao Hui celebration had been the cultural face of Penang for years.
“We really hope that people from all walks of life can support our efforts to pass on the precious cultural legacy of Penang,” he said.
He thanked the state for entrusting the clan council to lead the celebration.
The first Miao Hui event was held in 1999, the Year of Rabbit.
After two cycles of the Chinese zodiac, 2023 will again be the Year of the Rabbit.
Admission to the celebration is free and visitors of all ethnicities are welcome.
Those interested to contribute to the event can call Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng at 016-445 9808.
