french Archives - Travel 2 Penang

The Alliance Française de Penang Art Mural

Rahime Bouaziz, director of Alliance Française de Penang and the artist himself, Elan Hasyim.

On 26 September, The Alliance Française de Penang in George Town unveiled its 20 meter art mural called Paris/Penang which features major landmarks (such as the Eiffel Tower, Penang Hill, etc) in Paris and Penang that were then linked together via the Penang Bridge. The art work was created by local artist Elan Hasyim and it was painted in a way to portray the relations between the two cities.

This large mural can be found on the wall of the building of The Alliance Française de Penang, which is located at Jalan Phuah Hin Leong, George Town. The Alliance Française de Penang is a unique association and a language center in Penang that aims to promote both French language and culture all around the world.

Note: Special thanks to Marine of Alliance Française de Penang for the event’s invitation.

George Town Street View: BISHOP STREET

Bishop Street (or in local Malay name, Lebuh Bishop), is a street situated in the heritage area of George Town and is connected with Beach Street and King Street. The street was named after the Roman Catholic Bishop Garnault (a French missionary) who moved to Penang island during the old colonial era, upon an invitation by Francis Light. The bishop’s presbytery is located at the street.

During the earlier days, Bishop Garnault (or formerly Father Garnault) also founded and established Penang’s oldest church, and the street where the church was located, was named Church Street.

George Town Street View: CHURCH STREET

Church Street is one of the many old and historical streets in George Town. It was named after a Catholic missionary church which was later renamed as the first Church of Assumption (the church being founded by Father Garnault, a French missionary). This church was, however, demolished in 1850s and a new Church of Assumption was built at Farquhar Street.

It was said that back in the old days, a famous and notorious Chinese secret society had made their headquarter at Church Street, the same street that also housed Portuguese churches. There is a street art sculpture which depicts the said history in Church Street.

Church Street runs through several streets as well as connects Kapitan Keling Mosque Street with Beach Street.