George Town Festival Attracts 100,000 Visitors Annually

GEORGE TOWN, July 19 (Bernama) -- The George Town Festival celebrating Penang’s unique cultural and ethnic diversity has attracted more than 100,000 visitors annually.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said that over a decade, the festival has continued to grow and attract the attention of many domestic and foreign visitors which is a clear proof of the continued appeal of the arts in Penang.

"This year, the George Town Festival 2024 presents over 80 programmes featuring talents from around the world and locally, mirroring the richness of culture in George Town as well as in Penang. In fact, the festival aims to be a platform for international and local artists to build stronger relationships and develop the arts in this state,” he said at the festival’s opening ceremony here today.

"Art not only conveys messages and cultural heritage, but also creates job opportunities, strengthens the community and attracts tourists from around the world to the programmes featured throughout the George Town Festival 2024." 

The launch ceremony, held at Lava Mansion here, was officiated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Wong said from the artists who will enliven the George Town Festival 2024 to the local businesses that grow with the increase in the number of visitors, art plays an important role in stimulating economic activity and prosperity in the state.

"Through the Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee Office (PETACE), I am determined to develop the state's creative economic ecosystem to promote George Town's modern and historic uniqueness to the world," he said.

The George Town Festival 2024 with the theme "Now And Here" runs from today to July 28. It will present 80 programmes including 53 performances from local artists in the form of performing arts, visual arts, exhibitions, installation art and cross-disciplinary sensory experiences.

Also performing will be talent from Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Spain, Australia, Japan, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Colombia, Singapore, the United States, Vietnam, China and India.

-- BERNAMA