Preparations For RIUH Pi HAWANA 2026 Underway, Opening Concert Tonight

BUTTERWORTH, June 19 (Bernama) -- Final preparations for RIUH Pi HAWANA 2026 at the PICCA@Arena Butterworth Convention Centre here are proceeding smoothly today ahead of the carnival's opening tonight with a concert featuring performances by popular Malaysian artists.

A Bernama survey found that final work involving the installation of the stage, audio and lighting systems as well as the setting up of exhibition and sales booths is underway to ensure the smooth running of the programme throughout the programme.

The three-day carnival, which will run until Sunday at the PICCA@Arena Butterworth parking lot, will kick off with an opening concert from 8 pm to 12 midnight, while on June 20 and 21, 2026, the programme will start from 4 pm to 12 midnight.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil is also expected to attend the opening concert tonight.

MyCreative Ventures chief executive officer Zainol Haqim Zainol Rashid said the initial response received so far has been very encouraging with positive feedback from participants, creative industry players and artists involved.

"We set a minimum target of 30,000 visitors throughout the festival, which is held in conjunction with the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 celebration and hope that the reception received will be more lively throughout the three days of the event from the people of Penang and also the people of the north," he said when interviewed in conjunction with RIUH Pi HAWANA 2026 on Apa Khabar Malaysia on Bernama TV today.

Apart from the concert, the carnival offers various interesting contents including musical performances, arts and cultural activities, food sales and local creative products, as well as interactive programmes suitable for the whole family.

The RIUH Pi HAWANA stage will also be enlivened with 18 live musical performances featuring a line-up of renowned artists and local talents, including Exists, Bunkface, Masdo, Sakura Band, Fugo, Budak Nakal Hujung Simpang, and Chelsia Ng.

The RIUH Pi HAWANA carnival brings together more than 24 local creative product brands and 20 food and beverage vendors, in addition to offering interactive workshops that give the public the opportunity to explore various creative activities

"The feedback received from the artists involved has been positive and they also share the excitement to jointly make the programme a success," he said.

HAWANA, which was introduced in 2018, is organised by the Ministry of Communications with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) as the lead agency.

Tomorrow, about 1,000 media practitioners from home and abroad are expected to gather in Penang to attend the HAWANA 2026 Summit which will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, thus becoming the largest meeting ground for media professionals in conjunction with this year's HAWANA celebration.

-- BERNAMA