GEORGE TOWN: Hundreds of pink lanterns are already glowing at night as Penang prepares to welcome the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar.
Beneath the lanterns, visitors have been stopping for photographs among elaborate floral displays and a towering golden phoenix at Armenian Park, where this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival decorations carry Baba Nyonya influences.
The eighth lunar month runs from today to Oct 9 this year, with the Mid-Autumn Festival falling on Sept 25, the 15th day of the month.
Traditionally a harvest celebration in China, the festival became closely associated with giving thanks for the harvest and admiring the autumn moon.
The round moon later came to symbolise family reunion and togetherness, traditions now expressed through family gatherings, mooncakes and lanterns.
Its roots go back some 3,000 years to moon-worship traditions during China’s Zhou dynasty.
Nur Aliyah Iman Kuirol Annuar, 20, from Perak, recently stumbled upon the Armenian Park display while exploring the George Town heritage enclave with fellow hotel management interns from Indonesia.
“We usually see such decorations at malls but not this elaborate. The lighting and lanterns are amazing,” she said.
Freelance sales agent Tracy Teh, 49, makes a point of visiting the display every year.
“This year, it is a pretty pink sight and I like the phoenix, which adds to the festive atmosphere,” she said.
Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng said 500 lanterns were used for this year’s display, which cost about RM100,000.
He said a different theme was chosen each year with Baba Nyonya elements incorporated into this year’s decorations.
The display will remain until the end of September.
A Mid-Autumn Festival celebration will be held at the park on Sept 19 from 5pm to 10pm.
