GEORGE TOWN, April 29 – After a two-year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Penang Hill Festival is finally back for its third edition from 5 to 7 August 2022! Like before, Penang Hill Festival (PHF2022) aims to promote and bring about greater awareness of Penang Hill’s nature, history and cultural heritage.
What’s more, this is the inaugural year we are celebrating the festival since Penang Hill gained recognition as the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. Since its inception in 2018, Penang Hill Festival has collaborated with business partners, the hill community, academics, artists and nature enthusiasts to bring together an event suited for everyone.
We promise an array of interesting programmes lined up for the three-day event all aimed to celebrate the historical, natural and cultural elements of our beloved hill. Some of the highlights include Visitors can expect a series of interesting talks and sharing sessions throughout the event. Learn all about the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve and what it entails since its accreditation on 15th September 2021 at our Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve Panel Session.
Chaired by our passionate panellists consisting of Prof. Dr. Siti Azizah Mohd Nor, Prof. Sr. Dr. Mastura Jaafar, Dr. Nadine Ruppert and Dr. Abe Woo Sau Pinn, this session is sure to open your minds to the wonders of the priceless treasures that lie within our hills to our sea. Like a treasure hunt, Penang Hill is saturated with secrets and tales; eager to be shared with those who seek.
Learn all about Penang Hill’s journey to become the hill resort of choice in Malaysia at the session – The Timeless Journey of Penang Hill – by experts Mike Gibby, an author of several books on Penang Hill, Datuk Ong Eng Khuan, a lawyer and resident of Penang Hill and Laurence Loh, internationally renowned conservationist and heritage architect.
From its construction to the operation of the Penang Hill railway services, visitors can learn all about it from our speakers at the talk session A Century-Year-Old Tale of Penang Hill Railway Services. Join our esteemed speakers, Alan Tan – the project leader in the Penang Hill Railway’s upgrading project, Ahmad Chik – a retired mechanical engineer and long-time resident of Penang Hill, as well as Ang Sim Boo – a former Penang Hill railway station master; and be awed by this marvellous engineering feat!
Meanwhile, come join the esteemed Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Abdul Latiff Mohamad, a pioneer in the research of plant taxonomy and conservation biology, and Datuk Seri Lim Chong Keat, a retired award-winning architect and botanic researcher, as these experts share about the hidden natural gems of Penang and the importance of preserving them in Research and Conservation of the Rare Flora of Penang.
The organiser has also arranged interesting Talks & Walks sessions where visitors may explore the hill in the company of knowledgeable guides. Visitors may either trek along the Viaduct Trail where a myriad of flora may be found or trek along the Crag Heritage Trail which will take visitors through a nostalgic stroll while indulging in the memories of Penang Hill. Alternatively, visitors may join the Moniot Trail route which takes you through a pathway that narrows and then opens up to a natural stream.
Another notable highlight is the Night Exploration, jointly organised by NatureWalks@Penang Hill and The Habitat Penang Hill with guides Joseph Teoh and Steven Wong who are from the Malaysian Nature Society. Visitors may discover the nocturnal creatures that come to life under the cover of darkness atop the pristine and ancient rainforest of Penang Hill.
Our newly listed UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is home to a rich biodiversity. The professionally trained naturalists are sure to bring to light the many wonderful creatures that call our rainforest home. A truly unforgettable nature experience awaits! The Penang Hill Photo Exhibition is an exhibition that will bring back fond memories for the old and would be an exciting discovery for the young.
It will showcase old photographs of Penang Hill, with some of them dating back as far as the 1800s during the British colonial times. There will also be a Penang Hill Festival Photography Contest 2022. Come & showcase your photography skills as you capture the theme, “Pesona Penang Hill”, and stand a chance to win attractive prizes.
Penang Hill Festival’s signature event, Music on the Hill – East Meets West, is back by popular demand. Enjoy the musical performances by the esteemed Tonal Alchemy featuring Ray Rozells, Milky Way Chinese Orchestra and Wak Long Music & Art Centre complemented by the natural orchestra sung by the “inhabitants” of Penang Hill.
This year’s Penang Hill Festival is historic as we not only celebrate the hill but also its latest recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The objectives of the Penang Hill Festival will spur Penang Hill as a great example of environmental and heritage conservation as well as a platform to educate the public on the history of Penang Hill,” says Chief Minister of Penang Y.A.B Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, who is also the Chairman of Penang Hill Corporation.
We are excited for Penang Hill Corporation’s signature event, Penang Hill Festival, to make a comeback this year. The programmes for the 3-day event which will focus on Penang Hill’s nature, history and cultural heritage will certainly provide a thrilling yet memorable experience for our visitors.” says YB Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE).
PHC wishes to express our gratitude to the Penang State Government, Penang State EXCO Office for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE), Penang Global Tourism, the Photographic Society of Penang, Canon Malaysia and our business partners on the hill for their continuous support for the event.
PHC is also looking for fun and energetic individuals to join us as volunteers. Interested individuals may look out for the registration link which will be shared on PHC’s social media pages. For more information on the programme details (subject to change without prior notice) and registration for the events during PHF, kindly visit www.penanghill.gov.my/phf2022 or follow our official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mypenanghill. Enquiries may also be emailed to [email protected].
