Penang was awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage on 7 July 2008. Since then, the Heritage Celebrations is a yearly celebration to commemorate this prestigious status given by UNESCO. However, the annual George Town Heritage celebrations have been cancelled due to the pandemic outbreak.
As the nation is adjusting to the new norm during the COVID-19 pandemic, George Town Festival 2020 is going online. Thus, everyone gets to enjoy the Festival everywhere!
GTF 2020 is happening from 4 to 19 July. It’s featuring a total of 9 virtual programmes, including showcases, talks, and workshops. In addition, there will be a post-GTF bonus screening on 26 July.
Below are some short brief for each programme:
- SHOWCASE: The New Adventures in Sound Art by Kamal Sabran and Friends
Date: 04 JULY 2020
Time: 2PM
Artist-designer-researcher Kamal Sabran will be exploring and retuning Malay classic pop songs, together with visual artist from Russia, choreographers from Italy and Malaysia, as well as musicians from the US, Russia and Malaysia.
- WATCH IT AGAIN: Armour and Skin 2019
Date: 05 JULY 2020
‘Armour and Skin 2019’ is a musical masterpiece by HANDS Percussion Malaysia and Gamelan Yuganada premiered at GTF 2019.
- SHOWCASE: Absolute Penang
Date: 07 JULY 2020
Time: 7PM – 9PM
A series of local cultural performances displaying the richness and diversity of local communities. For instance, the performances include Teochew opera, sitar and tabla, Kuda Kepang dance, and more.
- TALK: Catch Up with Filamen & EPSON Malaysia
Date: 09 JULY 2020
Time: 8PM
Filamen co-founders, Abdul Shakir and Fariz Hanapiah, as well as EPSON Product Manager, Jeniffer Low will be sharing the insight behind the projection mapping at GTF 2019 opening weekend, ‘When Night Falls’.
- TALK: Catch Up with Pichet Klunchun
Date: 10 JULY 2020
Time: 8PM
‘BIRD’ is a dance collaboration between visual theatre company WHS from Finland and Pichet Klunchun Dance Company from Thailand. It was showcased at GTF 2019. Thus, Pichet will be sharing the insight about the contemplative performance online.
- TALK: Catch Up with Saleh Sepas & Amin Kamrani
Date: 11 JULY 2020
Time: 2PM
Parastoo Theater Team has presented ‘Screaming in Silence’ at GTF 2019. It’s a play which highlights child marriage in Afghanistan. During this catch up session, Saleh will be sharing the method of oppressed theatre in making social changes. Besides, Amin will share about his role as the interpreter and producer in the production.
- TALK: Catch Up with Bernard Goh, I Wayan Sudirana & Ghafir Akbar
Date: 12 JULY 2020
Time: 2PM
The creative geniuses behind ‘Armour and Skin 2019’ are Bernard Goh, I Wayan Sudirana & Ghafir Akbar. They will be sharing the insight about the musical masterpiece that premiered at GTF 2019.
- WORKSHOP: Coffee Painting Workshop by Azmi Hussin (Basic & Advanced)
Date: 18 & 19 JULY 2020
Time: 8PM – 8.30PM & 2PM – 2.30PM
Azmi Hussin is the renowned Penang-based caricature artist. He will be conducting the coffee painting workshop, both basic and advanced sessions. However, the spaces are limited.
*Registration has been closed when this article is posted.
- SCREENING: Moving Shadows, Chasing Light
Date: 26 JULY 2020
Time: 8PM
‘Moving Shadows, Chasing Light’ is a bonus screening. It features a selection of screenings about death and abuse is custody, with a post-screening discussion on the role of the arts.
