Penang CNY Celebration 2022 Features Physical Activities Under Relaxed SOPs
By Priscilla Ho YuXin
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The opening ceremony of the Chinese New Year celebration 2022 (Miao Hui) was held on the third floor of Prangin Mall.
After a muted Chinese New Year’s celebration which had gone fully virtual last year, the Penang Chinese New Year celebration 2022, which is also known as Miao Hui, is finally allowed under a relaxed standard operating procedure, involving a small crowd and physical distancing this year.
Penang CNY celebration (Miao Hui) was held from 1st of January to the 15th of February on the third floor of Prangin Mall, Armenian Park and Jetty 33, featuring a few physical events while the rest was held virtually. The event was organized by the Penang Chinese Clan Council, planned and coordinated by the Inheritors and endorsed by the Penang State Government.
Komtar Assemblyman YB Teh Lai Heng, who gave his speech at the opening ceremony, said that he appreciated with the involvement of youngsters to to sacrifice treasured time and vigorous vitality during preparatory works of the celebration.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the volunteers who put in a lot of effort to work in a team for this Penang CNY Celebration (Miao Hui) in order to spread the Chinese traditions and consolidate the Chinese cultures. All of you are the pride of the Penangites!” Teh said.
Komtar Assemblyman YB Teh Lai Heng gives his speech at the opening ceremony.
Various Cultural Booths Captivated Visitors
There were cultural booths that enable the visitors to create their own origami with step-by-step instructions, exhibitions showcasing beautiful masterpieces and creative DIY pop-up greeting cards, handmade jewelry craft stalls, game stations, food stalls set up in the event. Some interesting performances were also lined up for the visitors.
A live reporting and a live interview at Miao Hui on the 3rd floor of Prangin Mall by our reporter, Priscilla Ho.
The rich cultural display and nostalgic activities that showcase the best of Chinese New Year and the beauty of Chinese cultural traditions attract a lot of visitors. The origami booth successfully provoked the visitors’ interest and captivated a lot of visitors, ranging from children to adults, to learn paper folding art.
The Chinese New Year music gives an atmospheric boost to the festive and gets visitors in the mood for a cherished celebration. All the visitors alike took in the air of festivity that was felt all over.
The volunteer is teaching the boy to fold a craft using red packets patiently.
A short video on some highlighted scenes of the Penang CNY Celebration (Miao Hui).
A short video on some highlighted scenes of the Penang CNY Celebration (Miao Hui).
Spreading the Spirt of Chinese Cultures
Ooi, a seller from the booth selling DIY 3D pop-up cards, shared she was delighted that Penang CNY Celebration (Miao Hui) is allowed to adopt physical celebration for the visitors to appreciate the beauty of Chinese customs.
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“It is a great sign because more people can enjoy it physically rather than online. They all can come and enjoy the different cultures, different traditions and get to know more about Chinese New Year.” Ooi said.
Ooi expresses her happiness to see
the support from the visitors.
Although the Penang CNY celebration for this year was not as big as the celebration two years ago within the Georgetown heritage compound, Ooi was grateful that many visitors still show their support for the event.
“This year it is more confined to different places. Maybe the personnel has been spread across, but I am happy to see that there are still a lot of visitors coming here and this is a good sign to start this all over here.” Ooi added.
During this hard time, besides the supports from the visitors, a lot of hidden passion and efforts from Penangites has made dedicated contributions to help the annual celebration shine brilliantly and continually spread the spirit of Chinese culture with Penangites’ own pace and flavours.
