Festive splendour: Locals and tourists exploring the Mid-Autumn wonderland in Armenian Park. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Selfie, wefie – call it what you want. Either way, phone cameras are being put to good use at a fiesta marking the Mid-Autumn Festival.
With a grand pavilion, striking arch and floral blooms everywhere, Pesta Tanglung Tanjong 2025 is a riot of colours as the event turned Armenian Park here into a wonderland of lights and lanterns, with visitors aiming their phones at almost every corner.
“We have seen some friends posting about it in previous years, but this is the first time we came to check it out,” said Bell Yeoh, 36.
Yeoh, who came with her business partner Chek Eik Wei, 38, said the actual scene looked even better than the images they saw on social media.
They were among visitors who made it to the set-up during its launching ceremony on Monday.
Chek said their favourite photo spots were the arch and pavilion.
“They look great in shots,” he said.
Another visitor, Lee Yao, 44, brought his wife and their five-year-old daughter as part of their annual visit to the event since it was first held in 2019.
“We will have a good collection of photos to look back on when our daughter is all grown up,” he said.
Lee said the festival would feature a different theme each year.
(Inset) Visitors Wen Lee, 19, (left) and Suzy Tan, 22, taking photos under the grand arch at the Mid-Autumn Festival scene. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
“It is hard to pick the best as each one has its own uniqueness,” he said.
This year’s display is themed “Blossoms Under the Full Moon”. It will be lit up every evening until next month.
The event is organised by the Kampung Kolam Village Community Management Council.
The highlight of the programme is the Mid-Autumn Carnival this Sunday from 5pm to 10.30pm.
Several community groups will put on cultural performances such as Chinese orchestra, dances, singing, poetry recitation, diabolo routines, and war drums, among others.
The public can attend 22 free workshops and interactive activities from brush painting to opera mask colouring, mooncake making, lantern painting, paper cutting and glass beads craft.
There will also be a lantern parade around the area after dark.
A community veteran popularly known as Uncle Jimmy, 80, will perform a street show with handmade eco-drums, while fellow octogenarian Ng Wee Lay will render a Teochew opera piece.
Deputy Finance Minister and Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying said cultural events like this not only enhanced the festive atmosphere but also help promote Penang as a destination for cultural tourism.
“The state’s charm lies not only in its historical buildings but also the rich traditions of its diverse ethnic groups,” she said in her speech.
Also attending the event that day were Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng.
