GEORGE TOWN: Residents, business operators and cultural heritage practitioners in Penang are continuously determined in their efforts in embracing change despite the prolonged Movement Control Order (MCO) since the unprecedented Covid-19 crisis which broke out almost 18 months ago.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang, as the cultural hub of Malaysia, had demonstrated that people were capable of adapting to and embracing change.
"This is an extraordinary time with extraordinary challenges. Yet, we see people of different ethnicities and cultural and religious backgrounds adapting to their traditional practices and daily life.
"Cultural activities and religious ceremonies have turned home-based with digital platforms being brought in to maintain a sense of community togetherness.
"Local businesses, including long-term trades such as Hameediyah Restaurant (established in 1907) and Kwongtuck Sundries (established in 1836), are branding their products on digital platforms and fully utilising e-wallet and delivery services to promote their businesses.
"These businesses may have been established more than 100 years ago but they remain competitive today because they are able to embrace change for tomorrow," he said on the eve of George Town Heritage City as a Unesco World Heritage Site's 13th anniversary.
July 7 has been a public holiday in Penang since 2008.
According to Chow, George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) has been planning celebratory activities to be carried out tomorrow but was not able to execute the plan due to the MCO.
Therefore, he said, the directors of the GTWHI had decided to utilise the remaining allocation as one-time award money for 22 winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award category. Each of them will be receiving RM5,000.
"This is a special initiative to thank the artisans, masters and advocators for their lifelong commitments, persistence in mastering the skills, continuous dedication on knowledge transmission to the next generations and for their outstanding efforts and initiatives to promote cultural heritage activities in Penang.
"This is also coherent with the Penang2030 theme and strategic initiatives, in particular to increase liveability, enhance quality of life, and diversify the arts and cultural sectors," he said.
In April 2021, GTWHI announced the recipients of the GTWHI Heritage Recognition and Awards 2020 for their contributions to the Outstanding Universal Value of George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meanwhile, GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee said, on activities to be conducted for this year's celebration, the GTWHI, through George Town Festival 2021, would showcase online programmes including audio-immersive theatre, digital theatre, a concert, short film and docudrama screenings, sharing sessions, and workshops from July 10 to July 18.
Adaptations were also made for the George Town Heritage Celebrations 2021 through the 7/7 Heritage Day Sales Campaign initiative to promote products from George Town and Penang to a wider market.
The #GeorgeTownHeritage Photo Contest was also launched to raise awareness on the diversity of George Town's cultural heritage through photographs and stories from the public.
Ang will be representing George Town Heritage City in the upcoming World Heritage Site Managers' Forum scheduled to be held online from July 7 to July 13. As a resource person and speaker in the Forum, Ang will be highlighting George Town's experience on Covid-19 responses.
"The world will not stop spinning because of the pandemic and the GTWHI is committed to championing a community-based risk reduction approach to brace ourselves for the challenges and embrace change.
"Cultural heritage has been and will continue to be our asset to regain normality. We need to work collectively to overcome the challenges during this extraordinary time," she added.
Since July 2020, the Penang government, through the GTWHI, has implemented the George Town in the New Normal Project to support the custodians of heritage in Penang.
A total of 253 heritage buildings were repaired, 159 heritage videos have been produced, and 142 local businesses received support to advance to the new media and e-business platform.