Event

2016 Malaysia Public Holidays

In additional to this list of public holidays you can find the 2016 Malaysia School Holiday calendar here.  National and Penang Holidays are highlighted for your convenience.

Some dates are subject to change. Replacement public holidays are for when the actual holiday lands on a Sunday, the next weekday is given as a replacement holiday.

2016 Malaysia National School Holiday

The Ministry of Education released the 2016 Malaysia School Holiday Calendar.  These should be pretty definitive, but please note that these dates can change.  This list plus the public holidays calendar should help you in your travel planning.  Also note that the International Schools in Penang or Kuala Lumpur do not follow the Malaysia School calendar.  You will have to find the calendar on your school’s website.

Four states in the country, specifically Kedah, Johor, Kelantan and Terengganu start all these holidays one day early and end one day early.  These dates refer to when the rest of the states, like Penang, will have their school holidays.

Read more…

Dragon Boat Festival in Penang 2015

Penang Pesta Dragon Boat Race 2015

An exhilarating sport as steeped in history as it is in skill, dragon boat racing is one of Penang’s most
fascinating experiences. Dating back more than 2000 years, the modern import of this time-honoured
tradition sees sports enthusiasts and onlookers alike visit Penang each year to see these incredible
vessels take to the seas.

The Event

One of the island’s most anticipated events, the Penang Pesta Dragon Boat Race invites teams from
all over the world to battle it out at the Teluk Bahang Dam. This year, the two-day event drew a record
number of participants, welcoming nearly 40 teams to the island for a weekend of competitive events and cultural celebrations.

The Teams

With crews hailing from China, Singapore, Thailand and beyond, this year’s event saw Penang burst to life with hundreds of participants from a myriad of countries. From the Royal Malaysia Police to the Canadian Dragons, each team put their best foot forward, training up to four hours per day in order to claim the top spot out on the water.

The Results

Despite an impressive display of power, speed and endurance by all teams across seven racing categories, the winning title of the Penang Pesta Dragon Boat Race 2015 was awarded to the Macau Selection Team, who crossed the finish line at high-speed as drums pounded in the background. In second place, Penang’s very own Pacific West Dragon Boat Club followed close behind, culminating in a thrilling finish to yet another successful event.

This post was written by the good folks at the Park Royal Penang Resort.  I received no compensation for so I can recommend the Park Royal without feeling slimy.

Want to experience the races for yourself in the New Year? Plan a stay at PARKROYAL Penang Resort during the 37th Penang International Dragon Boat Festival. Boasting an enviable, seaside location in Batu Feringghi, PARKROYAL’s comfortable and convenient accommodation puts the best of the island – and the races – at your doorstep.

Tapirs, Tales and Trinkets event in Penang

Date: 29th August 2015

Time: 10:00am to 3:00pm( book launch first)

Place: Jonathan Yun Sculptural Jewellery

152 Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling

10200 Penang

What do tapirs, tales and trinkets have in common? When Jonathan Yun, anestablished sculptural jeweller, and Patricia Chew- a children’s author – come together, their combined synergy results in an unusual blend of their individual talents. The end result is tapir tales by Patricia and trinkets created by Jonathan, which are wearable and affordable.

If you wish to find out how this comes about, join them and Precious Page Resources, Patricia’s publisher and event organiser during this event at the Georgetown Festival. Let Jonathan kick start the event by fascinating you with how jewellers work with transforming a piece of metal into a beautiful piece of work. Jonathan will also surprise you with his unusual range of tapir jewellery which he designed specially for sale at this event. These limited edition pieces are ones which you would cherish for years to come.

After this, Patricia will give you a preview of the highlights of her third book, “The Mystery of the Missing Tapirs” during a short storytelling session. Meet the delightful characters from her book and share their laughter and woes as they solve the mystery of the missing tapirs in Evergreen Forest. Then the official launch of her book will take place where she will be on hand to sign her books.

Note: Patricia’s book is published by Precious Page Resources and will be distributed to major and independent bookstores throughout Malaysia and Singapore. For more information on her other books, please contact Precious Pages Resources www.preciouspages.com.my . For more information on Jonathan’s jewellery, please visit his website at www.jonathanjewelry.com, www.facebook.com/JonathanYunJewelry

ABOUT:

The author Patricia Chew.

She is the authoress of 2 children’s books, “Tony Tapir and Friends” published in 2010 and its sequel, “The Quest for the Great Pearl,” published in 2012. “Tony Tapir and Friends” has been reviewed in various magazines like the Straits Times “Little Red Dot”, “What’s Up” newspaper for children and Mediacorp’s “Animal Planet.”

Her second book launched on 13.01.13 in Penang Times Square was reviewed again by Mediacorp’s “Animal Planet” and SPH’s “Young Parents” where it was featured alongside the children’s book by ex-President Nathan of Singapore. The authoress was featured with her two books in Malaysia’s “Taman Ria Disney” magazine in June this year.

Formerly admitted as a Solicitor in England & Wales and as an Advocate & Solicitor in Singapore, she is no longer practising, but writes children’s books and tells stories in schools, malls and wherever the opportunity arises. The authoress is enthusiastic about sharing her passion for these endangered animals and wants to put a smile back on the faces of the readers as they enter into the enchanted world of these animals.

For more information, contact Patricia Chew at [email protected]

About the Artist

Jonathan Yun is a jeweler/artist based in Penang, Malaysia. He graduated from RMIT Australia majoring in fine metals. He has won several international jewelry awards and had participated in various exhibitions. Nature has been one of his passions and he is a certified divemaster as well as a fern collector.

Jonathan works mainly in silver as he finds the soft patina of silver fascinating and alluring. He works from his studio where each piece of jewelry is painstakingly sculpted out in jewelers wax and then casted out in sterling silver. Then the piece is hand finished and polished to reflect its beauty.

Upcoming Film Screenings

The arts are a big part of Penang life.  There’s galleries aplenty and the street art is world famous.  Film buffs will also be pleased to know that films are a part of that tradition as well.  In the next week there will be two film screenings that you want to know about.

Julian Cheah Film Week

Julian Cheah is the Hired Killer

Julian Cheah has become a good friend of mine in the last couple of years.  He’s a writer, director and actor and native Penangite.  I’m pleased to let you know that six of his films will be screened at PenangPAC at Straits Quay next week. 21 -26 July.

Here’s Julian in his own words:

The films are: Prince Of The City, The Hired Killer, Infected Paradise, Wild Justice, Killer Clown and art film Penyesalan Tak Berakhir (The Never-Ending Regret). Admission is FREE for everyone as this is not a profit-making event but intimate Q & A chatting sessions between people and me and the sharing of my emotions and experiences in the industry, where some can criticise my work and my presence in the field and I can assert my reasons for doing the films which I choose to do. A definite topic will be the stereotypical and sometimes disrespectful way that Asian men are depicted even today in modern Hollywood and how filmmakers can make a difference to this situation. The timing of the screening week coincides with my friend and film colleague Rod Manikam being in town so I look forward to having him joining me.

Movie Posters, stills and behind the scenes pictures can be found on the Julian Cheah Pictures Facebook page.  Dates of the screenings can be found on that facebook page as well.

Red Dot Cinema

Red Dot Cinema promotes independent short films from Asia and screens them around the region.  They are kicking off their latest Asia tour in Penang on 18 July 2015 at the Chai Diam Ma a local cafe on Queen Street in Georgetown.  This is a great opportunity to help raise awareness of Asian independent films and promote Asian cultures.

Tickets are RM 20 and can be purchased on line at http://reddotcinemapenang.peatix.com/

Bubur Cha Cha for Chap Goh Meh

The 15th day of Chinese New Year is called Chap Goh Meh, also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day.  It is a big deal here in Penang with events all over including a big gathering at the Esplanade in George Town hosted by the Penang State Government.  Read more about what the holiday is about in last year’s post.  Also visit the curated photo blog Living in Penang illustrated to see images from Instagram of the Chap Goh Meh celebrations.  Find out why young singles are throwing mandarin oranges into the sea.  This year I want to share one of the traditional dishes eaten during Chap Goh Meh, Bubur Cha Cha.

Bubur Cha Cha is the name for a Nyonya dish that is sometimes confused with a similar dish called Pengat.  It is a sweet dessert that is said to make the new year sweeter.  The Cha Cha is supposed to sound like ‘che che’ which in Hokkien means ‘prosperity’ or ‘abundence’.

This is a dish to be shared, so serve it to friends and neighbors today.  It is also the last day to hand out those red envelopes.  Children should be getting their last bit of loot before the river runs dry.

Bubur Cha Cha recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup cubed sweet potato – the orange variety – because orange is the color of Chap Goh Meh
• 1 cup cubed yam, yellow and purple for more colors.
• 100 g pearl sago
• water
• sugar
• coconut milk
• 2 to 3 pandan leaves, tied in a knot

Method

1. Boil Sago Pearls on their own in water until they are soft and translucent.  This should take about 15 minutes
2. Steam the yam and sweet potato.  They should get soft but not mushy.  If you don’t have a steamer, sprinkle with water and microwave for 10 minutes.
3. Bring 1 cup of water and 1/2 a cup of sugar to a boil.
4. Drop to a simmer and add the pandan leaves.
5. Add 1 cup of coconut milk and simmer for 4 minutes.
6. Remove pandan.
7. Add steamed sweet potato and yam, stir to coat.
8. Serve over a heaping spoonful of sago pearls.

World Curry Festival

The World Curry Festival is coming to Penang

Are you as excited as I am?  The World Curry Festival will be coming to Penang Jan 30 to Feb 1, 2015.  For the last 5 years this has been a British event.  The aim was to establish Britain as one of the curry capitals of the world.  It’s true too.  Recently I hosted two families of Britons at my house, and as a joke I googled traditional British recipes.  Chicken Tikka Masala came up as the third search result.

For this 6th annual festival, they are taking it international, to Penang.  Curries from everywhere, not just Malaysia, will be represented.  It will be part of the Penang International Halal Expo and Conference.

Events include:

• Gala Dinner
• Curry Master classes
• World Curry Festival Cooking School
• Street Food
• Market Stalls
• Pop Up Restaurants
• and more to be announced

World Curry Festival on Social Media

Facebook: WorldCurryFest

Twitter: @worldcurryfest

Pongal Festival Hindu Thanksgiving

Pongal Festival

Every year, the Tamil harvest festival, Pongal, is celebrated in January.  It is a four day festival that dates back over a millenium.  There are celebrations going on throughout Malaysia for Indians.  This year, it is scheduled for 14-17 January.

Penang has one of the best places to experience Pongal festival.  It is at the Sri Veera Kaliamman Devasthanam Temple. The temple is located in Gelugor, Penang.  The temple has been the focal point of Pongal festival in Malaysia since 1975.  Another place to go is the Sri Mahamariamman Temple on Queen Street in George Town.  This is the oldest Hindu Temple in Malaysia.

The word pongal in Tamil means “to boil” or to “to boil over”.  The timing of the festival is to coincide with the harvest for rice and other cereals, sugar-cane, and turmeric (an essential ingredient in Tamil cooking).  This begins the traditional month for large expensive family celebrations like weddings.

The Pongal Festival continues to be an important part of Malaysian Indian culture.  It keeps them connected to their South Indian roots and traditions.

In Hindu temples bells, drums, clarinets and conch shells sound out to mark the joyous festivities of Pongal. Sweet rice is cooked with fresh milk  in new clay pots until they boil over. This symbolizes an abundant harvest and prosperity.  Some of the rituals performed in the temple include the preparation of rice, the chanting of prayers and the offering of vegetables, sugar cane and spices to the gods.

The Pongal Festival is a time for Tamil families to get together, time for reunions.  Old grudges have to be forgiven and forgotten.  Reconciliation is supposed to rule the day.  Love and Peace are the central themes of Pongal.

Have you been to the Pongal Festival?  Please share your experiences below or on the Facebook page.

Malaysia National School Holidays 2015

Update: 2016 Malaysia National School Holiday calendar can be found here.  2016 Malaysia Public Holiday calendar can be found here

The Ministry of Education released the 2015 Malaysia School Holiday Calendar.  These should be pretty definitive, but please note that these dates can change.  This list plus the public holidays calendar should help you in your travel planning.

Read more…

2015 Malaysia Public Holidays

Update: the 2016 Malaysia Public Holiday calendar can be found here.  The 2016 Malaysia School Holiday calendar can be found here.

Below is a list of the National and State Public Holidays for 2015. National and Penang Holidays are highlighted. Knowing the public holidays in advance can help you plan your time here or time away.

Some dates are subject to change. Replacement holidays are for when the actual holiday lands on a Sunday, the next weekday is given as a replacement holiday.