GEORGE TOWN: The bustling streets of historic Penang came alive as some 100 performers portrayed merchants and traders from around the world, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of multicultural harmony.
The production traced Penang’s journey from British colonial rule, through the hardships of the Second World War and Japanese Occupation, to the formation of the Federation of Malaya and present-day Malaysia.
Concluding on Sept 13, the three-day Citra Mutiara Festival featured a grand finale at Lebuh Armenian, where costumed performers re-enacted generations of nation-building.
Designed to showcase Penang’s cultural identity through performances, competitions and demonstrations, the event attracted over 30,000 visitors while emphasising heritage preservation.
Organised jointly by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and the state government, the festival forms part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
National Department of Culture and Arts director-general Mohd Amran Mohd Haris said the event was the eighth of 16 planned programmes in Penang.
“We have eight more cultural tourism initiatives lined up to maintain momentum for Visit Malaysia 2026 through December,” he said.
“Our goal is to elevate Penang’s arts and cultural heritage while inspiring the younger generation,” Mohd Amran added.
The closing ceremony was attended by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib and his wife, Toh Puan Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah.
