Cultural displays on Penang streets

The Star

2 days ago

THE peoples of Penang and Japan share a strong and enduring friendship, fostered in part by vibrant cultural exchanges.
These include public celebrations that attract thousands of visitors and see streets coming alive with joyful medleys of dance, music, costumes, games, cuisine and more.
At least three such occasions are lined up this year, namely the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2025, Penang Bon Odori 2025 and Penang Aki Matsuri 2025.
First in line will be the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2025 that will be held on June 21 from 5pm.
Yosakoi meaning 'come at night', started in 1954 in Kochi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku.
It was originally meant to uplift spirits in the post-war gloom and spur economic activities locally, but has since spread to over 200 locations across Japan as well as more than 30 countries worldwide.
The Ioriya Tokiwa Yosakoi Team from Nagoya, seen here during a performance in Japan, will enliven the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2025.
Event co-organiser Pink Hibiscus Club president Emi Yamazaki said the festival would return to the Esplanade in George Town after several years at a different venue.
The 10th edition, which is themed 'Inspired by Japan, Uniquely Penang' would also witness several 'firsts', she said.
For the first time, the parade will feature two Japanese professional Yosakoi troupes, namely SoftBank Yosakoi Team One from Tokyo and Ioriya Tokiwa Yosakoi Team from Nagoya.
'They're highly regarded in Japan and will be joined by last year's open category winner from Singapore and a 65-strong ensemble from Thailand.
'It's also the first time we're having four international groups. Besides adding excitement, it'll allow Malaysian school teams the chance to experience a genuinely international Yosakoi event without having to travel abroad,' Yamazaki told StarMetro.
(Front row, from left) Former Japanese consul-general in Penang Yoshiyasu Kawaguchi, Wong, Miss Penang Yosakoi 2024 Jessie Lim Yie Yie and Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim dancing the Penang Sakura Ondo to kick off the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2024.
This will bring the overall tally to 30 teams, including 26 local ensembles from Penang, Kedah, Perak, Johor, Perlis, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur with over 1,200 dancers combined, she said, adding that it would surpass pre-Covid-19 pandemic records.
Yamazaki recalled Penang Yosakoi Parade starting in 2013 with just three teams.
It was initiated by Japanese expatriates as a gesture of gratitude towards Penangites for their solidarity and support in the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake.
The event, she said, proved popular and was held at the Esplanade annually until 2019, with participation growing year upon year.
It had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, but returned in 2022 with a new venue, Karpal Singh Drive, where it continued until 2024, she added.
'The parade faced many challenges over the years but the passion and resilience of everyone involved paved the way for its growth.
Participating groups showing off their well-choreographed routines and costumes during Penang Yosakoi Parade 2024.
'Organising teams worked diligently to guide Malaysian participants in movement and choreography, which later expanded into creating original songs, unique costumes and props.
'It raised standards significant­ly. We also encouraged teams to infuse elements of their own cultural identities into routines so performances resonated on a deeper level.
'This meaningful fusion of cultures very much reflects Penang's diversity,' she said.
Yamazaki said the event would also see the world's first Yosakoi Awards, which was described as the parade's equivalent of the Oscars.
Teams who meet certain performance criteria, she said, would be bestowed gold, silver or bronze awards by the Penang government in an effort to celebrate talent, creativity and innovation.
Children enjoying traditional Japanese games like yo-yo tsuri (water balloon fishing) during the Bon Odori festival last year.
Complementing the main parade, she said, would be a plethora of fun and engaging activities for visitors of all ages, right up until midnight.
There will be cosplay performances, merchandise sales and photo-taking sessions, she added.
Yamazaki said families could have fun at the Japanese Matsuri game stalls or Yosakoi Food Street brimming with all sorts of snacks and beverages.
As this year's event coincides with Penang's durian season, local vendors will also be present, allowing visitors to indulge in the thorny delight.
Another first is the Japanese idol concert featuring all-boy and all-girl groups and a dynamic rock band formed from the Japanese reality competition show Produce 101 Japan.
Fans from across South-East Asia will be able to meet their idols live.
The concert will close out the event alongside a spectacular lights and fireworks finale.
Colourful performances from Penang Yosakoi Parade 2022 held in Karpal Singh Drive.
For the latest updates, follow www.facebook.com/PenangYosakoiParade or visit https://penangyosakoiparade.com
Lights of festivity
The second festival, Penang Bon Odori 2025, will start at 5pm on July 19.
It will also take place at the Esplanade and feature an equally inclusive array of cultural performances, activities and workshops, as well as fun games and delicious food.
Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the event would be themed 'Akari Bon Odori' this year.
Akari means lights or illumination, and here, it refers to the captivating decorations that will include over 300 glowing lanterns, as well as symbolic Daruma dolls and Taiko drums.
'This year's Bon Odori will illuminate visitors' hearts with a fusion of Japanese culture, mesmerising displays and vibrant performances.
'One can look forward to traditional showcases that include martial arts, singing and dancing, some of which the public can join in,' said Wong, who is also the event organising chairman.
Thousand of revellers filling up the Esplanade during Penang Bon Odori 2024.
These include the Soran Bushi folk number that never fails to get everyone going.
There will also be stalls offering traditional games like water balloon fishing and goldfish scooping, as well as origami, handicraft and calligraphy workshops.
Regulars of the event often come dressed in yukata (casual version of the kimono).
But fret not if you do not own one, as they are available for rent so visitors can get into the spirit.
As is customary, there will also be a food street and a grand fireworks finale.
The Bon Odori here began in the 1970s as small gatherings organised by the Malaysian Japanese Association at Penang Youth Park (known as Penang City Park now).
It became a state-level event in the 1990s during the tenure of former Penang tourism committee chairman Datuk Kee Phaik Cheen.
Yamazaki says the quality and atmosphere of the parade in Penang is on par with that in Japan.
The third festival scheduled for the later part of the year is Penang Aki Matsuri 2025 or autumn festival. Its date and venue will be announced later.
Wong said such events reflected the state government's commitment to embracing diversity and showcasing the richness of various cultures.
'These vibrant cultural celebrations demonstrate that Penang is more than just a destination, it's a community that welcomes the world with open arms.
'We aspire to be a truly international city that attracts visitors with a melting pot of celebrations and experiences,' he added.
With limited parking around George Town, those planning to attend are advised to carpool, utilise public transport or use e-hailing services to get to the venue.
Strong partnership
These activities will not have been possible over the years without strong support of the Consulate-General of Japan in Penang, which was established in 1978.
Its mission is to deepen mutual understanding and promote goodwill between Japan and Malaysia through cultural exchange.
Machida: Yosakoi Parade and Bon Odori in Penang are some of the biggest outside of Japan.
Consul-General of Japan in Penang Shinya Machida said the Yosakoi Parade and Bon Odori in Penang were some of the biggest outside of Japan.
He attributed this to the close friendship shared by people of the two countries and their mutual willingness to learn about each other's customs and traditions.
'The events are growing in popularity every year with bigger crowds attending.
'Younger generations love it because of elements like dance, music and costume.
'For the Yosakoi, flexibility is also part of the appeal. Participants can infuse performances with their own spirit. This shows the open nature of Japanese culture.
'It's a joy seeing teams coming together to parade down the streets in the spirit of friendly competition,' Machida said.
Yamazaki similarly espoused the virtues of cultural exchange in relation to personal growth and mutual understanding.
'Immersive experiences like these transcend mere observation through screens or social media.
'It fosters greater appreciation for our differences and similarities.
'For example, during preparations, performers often reflect on their presentations, which lead to better appreciation of not only their own identities, but also that of others,' she said.
Yamazaki said she returned to Japan last year to attend several Yosakoi events and realised the quality and atmosphere of the parade in Penang were on par.
'While we may not match the sheer number of teams seen in Japan, the event here does not lack in spirit or vibrancy.
'It's an occasion enjoyed by thousands every year and that has really put Penang on the map as an alternative destination for Yosakoi,' she added.
Wong said he hoped these events would continue to strengthen friendship between the two countries and highlight shared values of community, respect and harmony.
Currently, there are over 100 Japanese companies in Penang with about 3,500 Japanese expatriates calling the state home.
Japanese restaurants are present in almost every mall and neighbourhood.
'Penang continues to be a popu­lar destination among Japanese travellers, who are among the top 10 nationalities among arrivals at Penang Inter­national Airport,' Wong added.