Pesta Pulau Pinang Celebrates 59th Edition With 'Legasi Mutiara' Exhibition
By Erma Idayu Mohd Yusof
GEORGE TOWN, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The Pesta Pulau Pinang, being held at the Sungai Nibong Festival Grounds, has been a beloved annual tradition for nearly six decades, creating cherished memories for generations of visitors.
This year marks the 59th edition of the festival, which holds special significance as it is the final event before the site undergoes a six-year hiatus for the construction of the Mutiara Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line and transit-oriented development (TOD) projects by MRT Corp.
In recognition of this milestone, the organisers introduced the Legasi Mutiara Exhibition, a unique fair at the ‘Pesta Shop’, offering visitors a journey through the long history of Pesta Pulau Pinang since its inception in 1966.
Pesta Pulau Pinang Exhibition Space, Business and Entertainment Venue committee manager, Mas Ayu Siti Asmah Hani Zainul Abidin, said the festival began as a sales carnival in 1966 at Padang Kota Lama and Lebuh Macallum, before settling at the Sungai Nibong grounds in 1974.
“Since May, we have been collaborating with the Penang Library Corporation to gather information, old brochures, photos, videos, newspaper clippings, and anything related to the festival's history,” she said.
One of the highlights of the Legasi Mutiara Exhibition is the display of vintage tickets from Pesta Pulau Pinang, dating back to 1978.
These tickets, once owned by a late school principal, have been meticulously preserved, with detailed notes on the dates, memories, and experiences from each festival attended.
The family of the late principal kindly lent the collection for the exhibition, which was officially unveiled during the recent opening ceremony by Penang Governor, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib.
"The first ticket was priced at only 50 sen in 1978, and over the years, the price gradually rose to RM5 for adults today,” Mas Ayu noted.
The collection is more than just memorabilia; it serves as a living diary of the festival, documenting the evolving experience of Pesta Pulau Pinang over the years.
The Legasi Mutiara Exhibition also includes a timeline zone, showcasing the festival's evolution, along with archival video screenings that bring to life the atmosphere of past events, sparking nostalgia among visitors.
Since its introduction nearly 60 years ago, Pesta Pulau Pinang has grown to become one of the most impactful annual tourism events, cementing the state's position in the national tourism calendar.
“That’s why this year, we wanted to present Legasi Mutiara to showcase the festival's journey, especially to the younger generation, before it takes a six-year break,” said Mas Ayu.
For visitors like Hafizah Mustaffa, 40, from Jitra, Kedah, the exhibition offered a unique and enriching experience. “The exhibition is fascinating, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to learn about the history of the festival. My family and I have visited Pesta Pulau Pinang several times, but this is the first time we’ve learned so much about its past. The old photos and videos are especially interesting,” she shared.
This year’s Pesta Pulau Pinang, running for 36 days from Dec 6 to Jan 10, features a wide array of products from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and state agencies, along with participation from the Prime Minister's Department's Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) in Penang and the Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA).
The festival site is equipped with various facilities, including stalls, parking areas, prayer rooms, restrooms, a mini park, ATMs, and a state agency pavilion.
It also highlights international diplomatic ties through the North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Aceh, and Thailand pavilions, symbolising the strong cultural exchange between these regions.
-- BERNAMA
