Century-old Penang Chingay parade back to showcase arts, culture

 

One of the biggest street parades at the Unesco World Heritage Site in Georgetown - the Penang Chingay parade - is back to showcase the best of the state’s arts and culture.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Exco Yeoh Soon Hin said the parade, first introduced in the 19th century, will begin at 7pm, starting from Padang Brown and will end at Lebuh Light, in front of the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Building.

“This year, the Penang government is bringing it back to celebrate our stable recovery and the resilience of our community against the pandemic.

“The parade has always been a source of joy and togetherness for our community, and we are committed to ensuring its safe and responsible resumption,” he said in a statement today.

The Penang government will also be working closely with various governmental bodies and the police to minimise disruptions to traffic.

This will be done through increased patrols and traffic control measures to ensure a manageable flow of both parade and regular traffic, Yeoh added.

“This year’s parade will showcase the best of Penang’s arts and culture scene, with an array of stunning floats, mesmerising cultural performances, dazzling traditional clothes and fireworks to end the night,” he said.

Street food stalls will also be available from 5pm to 11pm at Padang Kota, nearby Lebuh Light.

- Bernama