Tag Archives: Heritage

Christmas, Church, George Town, Heritage, Music, Photography

Christmas and the wonder of the Nativity

Leave a comment

As the Advent season has drawn to a close, it is time to bid farewell to the beautiful Christmas crib that has been the centerpiece of our celebrations. This beloved tradition holds a special place in the hearts of many, as it reminds us of the sacredness and wonder of the Nativity.

The Christmas crib, also known as a nativity scene or manger scene, depicts the humble birth of Jesus Christ in a stable in Bethlehem. It typically includes figurines of the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the Three Wise Men (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) and various animals. The crib serves as a visual representation of the biblical story and invites us to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

A scene from the manger recreated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Penang

Throughout the Advent season, the crib has been a focal point of prayer and reflection, bringing us closer to the spirit of anticipation and hope. As we gathered around the crib, we were reminded of the immense love that God has for us, as he sent His only Son to redeem and save us.

Teacher and musician Leonard Selva Gurunathan generously shares the meaning of all things Christmas to him in this heartfelt video. His take on the meaning of family at Christmas, the spirit of the season embraced by Roman Catholics like him and his family with anticipation, and lovely anecdotes focussing on miniature photography, the pipe organ and Christmas carols, give a completely different spin to the loud and often obnoxious and over-the-top festive tones we embrace as we blindly take in all that is commercial and showy about the humble birth of Jesus Christ, and what the true gift of Christmas should mean for those who consider it a religious celebration.

So as we close the Advent season and bid farewell to the Christmas crib, let us carry the spirit of joy, love, and hope with us throughout the year. And may the story of the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ continue to inspire and guide us in all that we do.

Photography by BoonTiong

(video courtesy of Leonard Selva Gurunathan with scenes from his Mount Erskine family home and the Church of the Assumption, Penang, home to the country’s oldest pipe organ)

Art, George Town, Heritage, Style, Travel

Sparking joy in sketches … the Penang way

2 Comments

A decade ago, Penang-born Tiffany Choong began sketching daily in her art journal, as part of her Happiness Project.

The self-taught artist discovered the joys of sketching through her global travels, which in turn it is said, gives her “a sense of purpose that fuels her soul.”

Just in time for Christmas, Tiffany presents EVERYDAY PENANG The Art of Joy.

She delivers playful pen and ink sketches, having drawn inspiration from simple objects she takes in daily.

Each sketch takes the reader not only into the “inner Penang” through the eyes of the artist, but is also paired with little pick-me-up quotes and words of wisdom along the way.

The visual treats found on every page of the compact book, is one which will spark joy with Penang residents and Penangites-at-heart, thanks to boutique publisher Clarity Publishing, who has connected Tiffany’s hometown and heritage with themes of love, loss and identity, including traditions and rituals.

As we wind up 2023 with an attitude of gratitude, the book serves as a gentle and colourful reminder to ourselves that “the simple joys of life will always shine through, if we let them.”

Copies of the book are available via https://www.clarity8.com/shopshop/en/gift-book/62-everyday-penang-the-art-of-joy.html

(All images courtesy of Clarity Publishing Sdn Bhd)

George Town

Requiescat In Pace

Leave a comment

Rest in peace, a phrase from the Latin requiescat in pace, is sometimes used in traditional Christian services and prayers, such as in the Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist denominations to wish the soul of a decedent eternal rest and peace (Wikipedia)

Around the world on Nov 2, Christians observe All Souls’ Day, also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed and the Day of the Dead.

This is a dedicated day of prayer and remembrance for the souls of those who have died.

A wreath at the Kelawai Road Catholic Cemetery in Penang to commemorate All Souls’ Day

If there is one thing which sets the Kelawai Road Catholic Cemetery in Penang on All Souls’ Day apart from others, it is the care and love displayed to honour and remember their dead.

Saying it with flowers

Step into this private cemetery owned and managed by the Church of the Immaculate Conception Penang, and the level of order, cleanliness and dignity accorded to the dead stand out.

Not a single grave or columbarium niche is forgotten or overlooked, especially on All Souls’ Day.

On normal days, a smiling Hafiz tends to the grounds with well-clipped lawns and tidy paths.

Rev Fr Simon Labrooy and Hafiz

Thanks also to a band of selfless and amazing parishioners, flowers and candles are arranged for placement to honour the dead ahead of Nov 2.

Rest in peace & glory
Parish priest Monsignor Jude Miranda blesses the flower-filled and candlelit columbarium niches
A lot of hard work goes behind the scenes in preparing bunches of flowers for the graves & niches
Flowers for the dearly departed
Fresh flowers and tea lights adorn the niche of a beloved parent & husband

There were many emotional moments today at the cemetery when loved ones were welcomed to a sea of flowers and flickering tea lights at the final resting place of their family members and friends.

The gentle recitation of the rosary as the blessing was under way, lent comfort and a sense of peace to the living.

We each are aware that our days on earth come with an expiration date. But isnt it nice to know that even in death, we will never walk alone in some communities?

Gone but never forgotten
George Town

A Hainanese treasure returns

Leave a comment

They survived the pandemic by cooking their famous Hainanese Spring Rolls (also known as Choon Pneah) and delivering these golden bites to loyal customers at designated spots.

Since 2002, Wilson Lim and his mother have worked tirelessly at a food court located along the Batu Ferringhi tourism belt, and had successfully introduced this Hainanese snack to both tourists and locals.

Their relocation into George Town recently has spelt easier access to their faithful (and hopefully, new) followers.

Nagore Square
Wilson @ work

Wilson and Joe are now operating from a cosy spot in Nagore Square and are there daily from 4pm-10pm (except on Wednesdays) and serve the rolls pipping hot with their signature dipping sauce.

Lest you get confused if you go to Batu Ferringhi and meet their clone there, here’s Joe with a friendly message …

Serving the real McCoy

Follow them for more updates on https://instagram.com/hainantreasures?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Eats, George Town, Homes, Photography, Style

Nailing a good sugee cake

Leave a comment

It is not a place one associates with great sugee (semolina) cake, but this is Penang, and you just never know what lies behind a door, the side of a backlane or even a monsoon drain here!

In this case, it’s a grand mansion by-the-sea, known simply as 32 Mansion. I always admire businesses with simple names coined from their addresses or postcodes. (the street address being 32 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah).

A visit to this 1920s sea-fronting Italian villa, is a history lesson in itself …

(Extracted from the business operator’s website)

BUILT FOR LEONG YIN KEAN, THE SON OF TIN MAGNATE LEONG FEE, WHO HAD FALLEN IN LOVE WITH ITALY WHILST A STUDENT AT CAMBRIDGE, THIS ELEGANT ITALIANATE VILLA ON GEORGE TOWN’S NORTH BEACH LOOKS OUT OVER GARDENS ONTO THE SEA.
IT WAS DESIGNED BY CHARLES MILLER (OF STARK & MCNEILL) AND IS LOCATED ON “MILLIONAIRE’S ROW” (NORTHAM ROAD BUT NOW RENAMED JALAN SULTAN AHMAD SHAH).

THE MANSION WAS BUILT IN 1926 AND MODELED AFTER THE OPULENT VILLAS IN LONDON’S REGENT’S PARK. SADLY, LIKE MANY OF PENANG’S MANSIONS, IT FELL INTO A STATE OF DISREPAIR AND HAD BEEN USED AS A MOTOR-BIKE CENTRE CALLED BIKER’S PARADISE AND HAD AS MANY AS 30 TENANTS LIVING IN PARTITIONED BLOCKS ALONG ITS ONCE ELEGANT ROOMS.


RESTORED TO ITS FORMER GLORY IN 2000 BY ESCOY HOLDINGS IT IS A MODEL OF HERITAGE CONSERVATION BY ADAPTIVE RE-USE AND IT NOW HOUSES THIRTY-TWO AT THE MANSION AND BEACH BLANKET BABYLON.

Back to their sugee cake … it can be found on Beach Blanket Babylon, or BBB’s dessert menu or pre-ordered as a fresh and buttery takeaway (it’s advisable to order the full-sized sugee cake at least 3 days ahead).

While BBB is better known for its crab laksa, the humble sugee cake has received equal praise from those who appreciate this baked goodness, for which many Eurasian, Peranakan, Chinese and Indian aunties (and uncles) guard the recipes fiercely.

Step into the home so cosily and welcoming created by Kah Hock, for either a slice of his sugee cake or the rest of the great spread offered.

Walk away with not only a satisfied meal, but endless shots of this great home and (it’s grounds) for your countless Instagram and other social media posts!

George Town

Honing the power and possibilities of art in a city

Leave a comment

It’s baaaack!

Save the dates from July 15-30 for yet another edition of the George Town Festival (GTF).

‘Celebrating the Power and Possibilities of the Arts in the City’ is the theme adopted for this 14th edition of what continues to be a promised spectacular celebration of art, culture, and heritage for all to experience.

The festival presents a myriad of outstanding artistic works by Malaysian and international artists, (including those from Penang) featuring productions across varied art forms ranging from traditional, contemporary, experimental, and multidisciplinary.

“This makes George Town Festival 2023 the most exciting iteration in recent years, bridging tangible and intangible heritage through continued global artistic partnership and exchange,” its organisers said in a statement.

GTF was first mooted in 2010 to honour George Town’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Over a decade later, the festival continues to elevate the visibility of the city’s heritage while creating spaces and platforms for increased cultural engagement through the arts.

“Since its inaugural edition, GTF has become a hallmark event in Malaysia and remains an avenue for creatives, festival-goers and stakeholders to engage with the arts and one another, spurring discussions, bilateral relations, and increased collaborations through and for the arts,” say it’s organisers.

Currently in its 14th edition, GTF 2023 features over 50 programmes with free access to 70% of its shows and events.

The programme line-up (https://georgetownfestival.com/2023/programmes_/the-monkey-king-adventures-love-of-onibaba/# ) includes several premiering and debut productions, indigenous-ethnic-cultural performances, digital installations, books and game launches, community-based events, and a series of arts masterclasses, workshops, and forums.

They will be spread across 20 over locations in George Town and the wider Penang area.

To further stimulate global artistic partnerships, GTF 2023 will facilitate performances and events between artists from East and West Malaysia and creative exchange with Taiwan and Australia.

This year, the festival is partnering with the Australian High Commission as a channel to honour the 50th-anniversary celebration of George Town and Adelaide as sister cities.

A highlight of this is ‘The Senses’ which will present a sensory and immersive musical experience within the naturescapes of Penang Hill’s 130-million-year-old rainforest.

In its effort to deepen awareness and appreciation of traditional art forms, GTF 2023 also includes several ethnic-traditional cultural performances to help elevate the visibility of intangible heritage in Penang and beyond.

Highlights in the programme are Panggung Semar, bhumiMATA, and The Monkey King Adventures: Love of Onibaba.

George Town Festival 2023 is a project by George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), organised by TLM Event, and endorsed by the Penang State Government and the Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy.

It is fully supported by the City Council of Penang Island and Penang Global Tourism.

(all images courtesy of George Town Festival)

Art, Christmas, George Town, Heritage, Shop, Style, Travel

Nala comes to George Town

Leave a comment

We have ooh-ed and aaaah-ed at her original prints, designs and products and can’t seem to get over the fact that Nala Designs is a home-grown lifestyle label we can (and must) be proud of.

At long last, designer Lisette Scheers, the brains behind the label is opening on this island and George Town welcomes her and and her beautiful goodies!

Just in time for Christmas (shopping), the great Lisette has opened the doors of ‘Nala Biloba’ this week at 93, Lebuh Armenian.

Do pop in and be wowed by her extensive range of prints, handbags, paper products and more and know that you are biting into a piece of Malaysiana where each item comes with a charming story to it.

Happy Shopping and welcome to George Town, Nala Biloba and congratulations Lisette!

(All images courtesy of Lisette Scheers)

George Town, Heritage, Luxe, Spa, Stays, Style, Travel

The Grand Dame is back!

Leave a comment

She promised us Dec 1, 2019 as the date the E&O Hotel would open the doors to her newly-upgraded Heritage Wing, and Alison Fraser kept to her word.

The custodian and general manager of Penang’s Grand Dame of Hospitality – the Eastern & Oriental Hotel – greeted members of the media and bloggers to the hotel ahead of its annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony and played the gracious hostess.

The walkabout around the newly spiffed wing was a treat and left us all happy that the 134 year-old ‘Grand Lady’ is now refreshed and ready to “welcome home” travellers and Penang residents to her beautifully and luxuriously-appointed suites and to savour fabulously-developed food and beverage offerings.

Error
This video doesn’t exist

The WiFi connection has been boosted, delicious beddings spread out, Panpuri Spa amenities placed in all the rooms, and other luxuries both big and small await the guests.

Dear and familiar faces like Jimmy Lee, Jesvinder Singh, JJ and the khaki-uniformed doormen will be on hand to welcome the paying public when doors officially open for business on Dec 20.

The now-famous front desk which featured in the opening scene of the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ will no doubt be a talking point for those hanging out in the lobby or checking in.

And who among us is not looking forward to a spot of the hotel’s famous afternoon tea in newly-created spaces around the property?

I know some of my friends who have checked out the Farquhar’s Bar and are looking forward to spending many happy evenings there after Dec 20!

Kudos and special mention to Faisol ‘Davo’ Abdullah for the spanking new and sharp uniforms designed.

Congratulations again Alison for all the hard work put in and showing us yet another female GM who stays at the top of her game!!!