Kek Lok Si : A Floating City of Lights
A Scene from Campbell Street
Penang Street Art (A Little Dog)
Penang Perspective: A Traditional Lion Dance
A traditional lion dance performance being held at an ancient stage at the old Khoo Kongsi compound in 2019.
Penang Perspective: Jade Emperor Temple at Ayer Itam
Today marks the 9th day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which is also a big celebration of the Chinese Hokkien to express their gratitude to the Jade Emperor. It is also known as the Hokkien people’s new year, and in Penang where the majority of Chinese are Hokkiens, it is usually celebrated more widely (and ‘loudly’) than the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year.
It was said that during the Song Dynasty, Chinese Hokkien refugees were saved from being caught and killed by the Mongols on the same day of the Jade Emperor’s birthday after hiding in a sugarcane farm for nine consecutive days.
Hence, as a gratitude and believing that the Jade Emperor had blessed and saved them, the Hokkiens celebrated this occasion by offering prayers (usually including sugarcane too) to the Jade Emperor.
Kek Lok Si Virtual Lighting Ceremony 2021
Kek Lok Si Temple, for the first time, will be broadcasting its lighting ceremony virtually today via Facebook for the coming Chinese New Year. This is due to the current Movement Control Order which is put in place across the country till 18 February, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The virtual ceremony will start at 7pm today (GMT+8, 7 February) and those interested, can watch the virtual ceremony here: LINK
George Town Street View: CHULIA LANE
Chulia Lane is a small street in George Town that runs from Stewart Lane to Chulia Street. In the old days, the street was known as “17 Houses Street” due to the number of heritage townhouses that once lined up along the street. Presently, some of these townhouses have been converted to inns and cafes.
A steel rod art sculpture located at Chulia Lane.
