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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
George Town swings open 'Doors and Doorways' to celebrate 17 years as Unesco World Heritage Site
GEORGE TOWN: George Town is all set to throw open its doors — literally and figuratively — to mark its 17th anniversary as a Unesco World Heritage Site with the George Town Heritage Celebrations (GTHC) 2025, themed "Doors and Doorways". Organised by George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), the three-day festival from July 5 to 7 promises a colourful mix of cultural workshops, storytelling, historic tours and community participation, aimed at celebrating the living soul of one of Malaysia's most iconic heritage cities. "Seventeen is a bold age. It is a time of transformation, of becoming. "That is the spirit of this year's celebration — looking back at our journey and stepping confidently into new spaces of heritage storytelling," said GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee when unveiling the GTHC 2025 recently. The joint inscription of Melaka and George Town, the historic cities of the Straits of Malacca, as a Unesco World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008 was based on the Outstanding Universal Value of cultural diversity embodied and embedded in living heritage and built heritage. Melaka and George Town are remarkable examples of historic colonial towns on the Straits of Malacca that demonstrate a succession of historical and cultural influences arising from their former function as trading ports linking East and West. The festival will open this Saturday with a Cultural Workshops Day featuring 29 hands-on sessions and live performances across George Town's heritage precincts. From 6pm to 10pm, visitors will have the chance to learn traditional crafts, explore Penang's multilingual culture and enjoy culinary demonstrations. An estimated 18,000 participants are expected. On Sunday, early risers can take part in the popular George Town Heritage Walk, a 5km family-friendly walk starting at 7am. The event, which anticipates 2,000 participants, offers an immersive experience through the city's heritage quarters. The celebration continues on Monday with the Historic Building Open Day, from 9am to 5pm. Eight historic buildings, including St George's Church, Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh and Makam Dato Koyah, will open their doors to the public. Visitors can explore their storied halls and meet the people behind their preservation — all beneficiaries of GTWHI's Repair Incentives Programme. "These buildings are not just relics. They are anchors to our past and mirrors of our collective identity," said Ang. This year's theme, "Doors and Doorways", represents not just physical thresholds but also the intangible ones that connect stories, people and generations. "Behind every door in George Town lies a story waiting to be shared — about migration, craftsmanship, language, family or faith. "We want to deepen our community's capacity to tell these stories and ensure that heritage is experienced, not just seen," Ang said. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai described the GTHC 2025 as a symbol of cultural maturity. "Seventeen is an age where we start asking bold questions and finding new ways to express who we are. "This celebration is more than an event — it is a movement that lets our communities lead, tell their stories and keep heritage alive through innovation." Wong said the state government is committed to supporting cultural tourism as a driver of Penang's creative economy and international appeal. As the countdown begins, GTWHI is inviting all — families, students, visitors and long-time Penangites — to take part in this year's festival. "Whether you are attending a workshop, walking the streets or just listening to stories, you will be part of something meaningful. "Come open a door — you never know what you will find behind it," said Ang.
Malay Mail
11-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Eight restored George Town buildings to open for public tours during July heritage celebrations
GEORGE TOWN, June 11 — Eight heritage buildings in George Town will open its doors to the public during next month's George Town Heritage Celebrations. There will also be community volunteers to guide visitors during these open house sessions to explain the various aspects of the buildings and their history. George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) general manager Ang Ming Chee said the eight buildings were recently restored using funds from the repair incentive grant from the federal government. 'A lot of heritage buildings benefited from this grant so this open house is a pilot programme to open the doors of these heritage buildings for the public to experience the restored buildings,' she told reporters during a press conference with tourism and creative economy state exco Wong Hon Wai to announce the George Town Heritage Celebrations on July 5 to 7. She said they hoped to come up with a more sustainable way of getting income to support the local communities and the restoration of heritage buildings in the city. 'We hope that the public will visit these open houses and give us their feedback,' she said. The eight heritage buildings that will open its doors to visitors during that long weekend next month are GTWHI building at Lebuh Acheh, Kwangtung and Tengchow Association, Makam Dato Koyah, Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh, Nam Hooi Wooi Koon, St. George's Church, Sun Wui Wui Koon and Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Temple. Meanwhile, the three-day celebrations will also feature 23 cultural workshops, six interactive performances and a George Town Heritage 5km Walk for families. The workshops will offer immersive and hands-on experience in traditional crafts, food preparation and languages. Wong said this year marked the 17th year since the joint inscription of George Town and Melaka as Unesco world heritage sites. He said the heritage celebrations is now shifting towards storytelling as a key focus this year to nurture more community narratives. 'It's not just about preserving walls; it's about letting those walls speak,' he said. He reiterated the state government's commitment to push cultural tourism as a pillar of Penang's creative economy. More details on the heritage celebrations are available here.
