Hands-on event: Visitors trying their hand at decorating a kolam at Armenian Park.
GEORGE TOWN: Some learned to write their names in Jawi and Chinese scripts, some had their hands inked in beautiful henna art.
Others made wau bulan, wayang kulit puppets, wood blocks for printing, and even Indian decorative hangings called thoranam and drew colourful kolam on the ground.
Traditions and culture of all races were on display as Penangites and visitors celebrated Heritage Day at Armenian Park here.
The event, organised by George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), also featured screenings of mini-documentaries. These highlighted how traditional celebrations like Mue Guek (full moon party), Phor Thor (Hungry Ghost Festival) and Chap Goh Meh, as well as art forms like Boria and Teochew Opera had to evolve and adapt to the new normal.
George Town was celebrating the 11th anniversary of its declaration as a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.
The celebration also witnessed the launching of the GTWHI office at the junction of Lebuh Carnarvon and Lebuh Acheh.
The building has been given a RM1.8mil facelift.
GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee said the restoration project started in November 2018 and was completed in January this year.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said George Town was exceptionally rich in history and culture, both tangible and intangible, and was constantly evolving and adapting.
Jakarta Unesco Office director and representative Mohamed Djelid lauded George Town as one of the World Heritage cities that had defied the difficulties with perseverance and creativity.
