Latest news with #Penang2030FestivalXSeberangPeraiHeritageDay2025
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
Penang Neolithic gallery to open this year, says CM
Chow (in batik shirt) having a go at 'sepak raga bulatan'; at below, colourful display of Malaysiana as children take part in a costume contest at Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star 41 skeletons from Guar Kepah site to be displayed alongside 'Penang Woman' once repatriation complete Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery in Kepala Batas, Seberang Perai, is expected to open in the third quarter of 2025. The opening will take place once all 41 Guar Kepah site's Neolithic human skeletons are returned to Penang from the Netherlands where they have been stored for 152 years. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the skeletons would be handed to Universiti Sains Malaysia for assessment before being placed in the gallery. These will then be displayed alongside the 5,700-year-old skeleton known as 'Penang Woman' who is believed to be their ancestor. While Penang Woman was found in an ancient burial ground on mainland Penang in 2017, the other skeletons are believed to have been excavated by British archaeologists between 1851 and 1934. 'Once the remains are back, we can officially open,' Chow said, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was expected to launch the gallery. Funded by a RM10mil Federal Government allocation, the double-storey gallery was built on nearly a hectare of land. Minimalist in design, it houses a research centre, lab and artefacts storage facilities. The gallery, which covers the spot where Penang Woman was discovered, will serve as a tourist attraction and centre for research and heritage preservation. There will be exhibits such as shell middens and interactive displays on early human settlements, while visitor facilities will include cafe, souvenir kiosks, and surau. According to previous reports, the Guar Kepah site was the first in Malaysia to have been studied by Western researchers, from the mid-19th century to 1936. The site yielded human remains, stone tools, food remnants, beads and pottery shards that offer insights into prehistoric life in the area. Between 1936 and 1960, the 41 skeletons were transferred to Naturalis Biodiversity Centre which in 1984 became part of the National Museum of Natural History in Leiden city. The remains are now stored at the Collection Centre Netherlands in Amersfoort. A delegation from Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is expected to travel to Leiden soon to complete the repatriation process, following Cabinet approval and final paperwork. Earlier, Chow launched Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025 in Kampung Agong, Penaga, which drew some 5,000 participants. 'Amid the greenery and village traditions, this celebration strengthens the harmony we already have among Penang's diverse communities,' he said. 'It is a recognition of all we have achieved together over the past seven years.' He said this year's edition was special as it was the second time Penang2030 Festival was being held, with it moving out of Komtar for the first time into Kampung Agong in conjunction with Seberang Perai Heritage Day. He said the celebration also showcased Penang's cultural wealth as a shared asset. Visitors enjoyed activities such as batik painting, silat, wayang kulit and traditional games like sepak raga bulatan. There were also sack races, costume and colouring contests and a handicraft market. Guests enjoyed a 'Kenduri Rakyat' which had plenty of free food and drinks while a two-minute fireworks display concluded the event at 8pm. Also present were state executive councillors Jason H'ng Mooi Lye, Datuk Rashidi Zainol, Fahmi Zainol and Daniel Gooi Zi Sen along with state secretary Datuk Zulkifli Long.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Thousands enjoy a day in the kampung
Family fun: Visitors taking in the sights and sounds of the Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025 in Kampung Agong, Penaga. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star KEPALA BATAS: Thousands of visitors flocked to the Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025. Despite the sweltering heat, many families, including those with young children, turned up in high spirits to take part in the festivities held at Kampung Agong in Penaga yesterday. Mohd Hilfy Hizir, 35, travelled from Penang Island with his wife and two children to experience the celebration for the first time. 'I have been here several times, but this is our first time joining in the celebration. It's worth the drive,' said the private company executive. 'My children enjoyed themselves and it's great to see culture celebrated in such a lively way.' Another parent, 41-year-old Nurfarazila Radzi, said she did not want to miss the festival as it offered her children a valuable opportunity to experience cross-cultural traditions and get a glimpse of authentic kampung life. 'Events like this remind our children where we come from. They spend so much time with gadgets these days. It's nice to bring them back to nature and our roots,' she said. Her children had a good time trying out traditional games like congkak and kite-flying at the padi field. Cassidy Jitien, 38, a civil servant, said it was his first time visiting Kampung Agong and described the experience as refreshing. 'It's peaceful and nostalgic. You don't get to see scenes like this in the city,' he said, referring to the padi field, wooden houses and kids running barefoot. Cassidy, who brought along his three young daughters, said it was also a meaningful way for his family to unwind and reconnect with their cultural roots. Originally from Sarawak, Cassidy shared that the kampung setting reminded him of his childhood days in rural Borneo. 'This kind of environment brings back memories of my grandparents' village. 'I want my daughters to appreciate these traditions and not grow up thinking that culture only exists in books or museums,' he added. Among the activities were traditional performances and workshops such as batik painting, silat and wayang kulit, as well as traditional games like sepak raga bulatan. The festival also featured traditional food stalls and a handicraft market – all reflecting the diverse heritage of Seberang Perai. The event combines the annual Penang2030 celebration with Seberang Perai Heritage Day. It is a collaboration between the Chief Minister's Office, Seberang Perai City Council, Penang Island City Council, Tech Dome Penang and Penang Green Council.
