On 31 August 1957, while independence was declared in Kuala Lumpur, Penang also held its own Merdeka celebrations at the Esplanade (Padang Kota Lama). Thousands of people gathered there to witness the Union Jack being lowered and the new Malayan flag raised for the first time in Penang. The Esplanade has since remained a key venue for Penang’s annual Merdeka Day parades and celebrations.
A small and somewhat hidden alley connecting M-Summit Hotel and the Gurdwara Road in front of Gama departmental store in George Town. The picturesque and Instagrammable alley is adorned with vibrant bougainvillea arches that stretch across the walkway. Its exact location can be found HERE.
Hidden within the U.A.B Building’s courtyard, two miniature figures from Cement Eclipses can be found facing the courtyard’s mini garden.
For other figures and their locations, please refer HERE.
From 2 August to 1 September 2025, visitors to the Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park can experience “A Debt of Time”, a poetic installation by artist Neoh Shin Yen that used projected words as its medium. The text only reveals itself when sunlight (or another light source) strikes it just so—appearing through the interplay of shadows and illumination. This ephemeral effect mirrors the fleeting yet persistent nature of memory and gratitude, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and appreciate how meaning gradually surfaces and fades in life’s quiet moments.
Terang, meaning “bright” in Malay, is a projection mapping spectacle by the Malaysian digital art collective Filamen. The showcase reimagines George Town’s historic Town Hall by turning its colonial facade into a radiant display of digital artistry, blending light, motion, and colour to create an immersive visual experience. This event will end tonight, as part of the George Town festival activities.
“Terang”, the centerpiece of After Dusk at George Town Festival 2025, was a breathtaking projection mapping show by digital art collective Filamen, displayed on the historic Town Hall at Padang Kota Lama. Using vibrant visuals and dynamic light, the installation explored the festival’s Rojak theme—celebrating Malaysia’s diverse cultural layers—by blending heritage architecture with cutting-edge digital storytelling. It wasn’t just a light show, but a sensory experience that transformed the colonial facade into a luminous canvas of identity, imagination, and shared memory.
This event now runs till 10th August from 8-11pm at the Penang Town Hall, near the Esplanade.
IMMERSIOx is an interactive event held from August 2 – 10, 2025 at the UAB Building in George Town (11 AM–7:30 PM, free admission) and is part of the 2025 George Town Festival. This bold digital art exhibition brings the immersive future to Penang—featuring interactive installations, projection mapping, and new-media artworks that invite visitors to explore, touch, and engage with space and perception in fresh ways. Curated by Filamen, the showcase is part of GTF 2025 and serves as a dynamic platform for emerging local and international digital artists. It’s a tactile, full-body experience designed to blur the lines between art and reality.
“After Dusk”, the opening event of the George Town Festival 2025, transformed Padang Kota Lama (Penang Esplanade) into a vibrant nightscape on August 2–3 (update: extended till 10th August now) from 5pm-11pm with projection-mapping on Town Hall by Filamen (titled “TERANG”), cultural performances like “Starry Night” and “Transmute: Dengung Dalam Sepi”, a musical fusion set “Rhythms & Roots”, and a bustling night bazaar called “A Market Under a Starry Night” featuring local crafts and food. All events were free and celebrated this year’s theme, Rojak, symbolizing Malaysia’s colorful blend of cultures.
Painted by local artist Vincent Phang, The mural captures Mr. Rangan, the legendary coconut seller who has been a fixture in Lorong Abu Siti (Aboo Sittee Lane), George Town for over 52 years. In his signature towel wrapped around his head, he’s shown expertly slicing open coconuts amidst the alley’s historic shophouse backdrop. The artwork celebrates not just his craftsmanship, but also the spirit of Penang’s street culture—and the quiet heroes who keep it alive day after day. It’s both a vivid portrait and a tribute to tradition and perseverance.
