 GEORGE TOWN celebrated this Chinese New Year on February 12 with eight themes at different places in the World Heritage Site enclave: - Civilians: One half of Armenian Street was dressed up as the "Area of Civilians". There, visitors explored the genealogy and history of the clan houses, learned about the origins of Chinese surnames, enjoyed the traditional Chinese hand puppet show and indulged in local Hokkien, Hainanese, Teochew and Hakka hawker fare.
- Good fortune: Chulia Street was the "Area of Good Fortune". Go there and you might be greeted by the Chinese God of Prosperity. If you are lucky, a Rabbit of Prosperity may come bounding up to you too. Inside the Han Jiang Ancestral Hall, there were the 24 Seasons drum and Teochew opera performances. Outside on the stage, cultural shows and performances.
- Emolution and career: Within the Poh Hock Seah compound in Armenian Street, the "Area of Emolution and Career", there was an exhibition featuring old trades and skills, such as wooden tablet carving, clog making and fortune telling. There were also traditional Chinese candy such as the candy floss and the "ding ding". Visitors were also entertained by stage performances such as traditional Chinese dances, orchestra and an opera face mask changing performance.
- Art and culture: The other half of Armenian Street was the "Area of Art and Culture". There were demonstrations of Chinese tea art, flower art painting, calligraphy and the art of paper folding.
- Longevity: At the Cheah kongsi which was the "Area of Longevity", there was an exhibition of traditional Chinese medicine and real-time demonstrations of acupuncture therapy, cupping treatment, blood cleansing therapy, Chinese medicine massage and an introduction to the famous ancient Chinese sinsehs.
- Jubilance: Feel like petting some rabbits? Are rabbits just of the white, brown or black varieties? Are there other types? The rabbit garden in the "Area of Jubilance" in Acheen Street answered the questions for an endless stream of visitors. Nearby on the stage, there were showcases of traditional Chinese wedding ceremonies and dance performances.
- Morality: At Kampung Kolam, the "Area of Morality", there was a vegetarian food charity fair, a books, culture and arts exhibition, an exhibition to propagate the teachings of Confucius and performances based on traditional Chinese virtues such as education, loyalty and filial piety.
- Nostalgia: And finally the theme at Ah Quee Street was "Nostalgic Old Penang", a time in the 19th century when life was hard and a daily struggle for survival. In a corner was a reenactment of porters and coolies working at the old ship docks, bustling about with huge gunny sacks of goods on their shoulders. In another part of the road, street vendors were hawking traditional Chinese tidbits like yew char koay, sugar cane and the like. The cabaret show was reflective of life in the 1960s, a time after Independence, when people's life -- not only the Chinese but all the communities -- had already taken a turn for the better.
George Town has celebrated Chinese New Year in this area for at least the past decade of so. One day in February, every year, the heritage enclave transforms into a wonderland of Chinese cultural celebration. It is a time when people of all ages and various stations in life, come out with full enthusiasm to participate in cultural heritage celebration of the Chinese. The event is just one of many in Penang, held throughout the year, that showcases the contributions of the various communities that make Penang a melting pot of multiculturalism. Of late, these celebrations and activities have assumed greater popularity and significance with both the locals and tourists. Without a doubt, the Unesco world cultural heritage recognition accorded to George Town in 2008 continues to play an important role in revealing Penang's tourism potential. Much of the activities centred along Armenian Street, Cannon Street, Ah Quee Street, Soo Hong Lane, Chulia Street and Kampung Kolam. Not forgetting too the main artery, the Street of Harmony (Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling a.k.a. Pitt Street), which was a focal point of the celebrations. This year, at precisely 6pm, the dignitaries arrived and walked to the main stage to be greeted by a traditional multicultural dance troupe. Thereafter, the celebrations continued in full earnest led by a 24 seasons drum performance, lion dance, dragon dance and displays of skills with the gigantic Chingay flags. ** Pictures and text by Quah Seng Sun Click through pictures for slideshow.
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