The colourful and vibrant Penang Bon Odori Festival returns this year with an exciting line-up of events.
The celebration will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 5pm to 11pm at Padang Kota Lama which will be transformed into a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture.
Present to announce the celebration was State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Wong Hon Wai who was accompanied by the Consulate-General of Japan in Penang, HEÂ Kawaguchi Yoshiyasu and his team.
The Penang Bon Odori Festival is an annual cultural event that celebrates the rich traditions of Japan supported by the Penang State Government, Consulate General of Japan and several Japanese associations: Malaysian-Japanese Society (MJS), Penang Japanese Association (PJA), Japan Graduates’ Association Of Malaysia (JAGAM) Northern Branch, The Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS), and Penang Japanese Language Society (PJLS).
This festival has been celebrated in Japan for centuries and has found a cherished place in Penang’s cultural calendar.
In anticipation of the main event, there will be two pre-events designed to engage and entertain the public, namely the Miss Bon Odori Contest (Finals on July 27) and a two-day cultural extravaganza featuring food, crafts, and performances will be held at 1st Avenue on July 20-21, 2024.
“The Bon Odori Festival in Penang has been a hallmark of cultural exchange and community celebration. It provides an opportunity for locals and tourists alike to experience the enchanting Japanese dance, music, and culinary delights.
“The festival not only preserves and showcases Japanese traditions but also fosters a spirit of unity and multicultural appreciation. The Japanese investors and MM2H community is quite a sizable number in Penang”, said Wong.
He added that as an International city, Penang celebrates Bon Odori, Thai Festival, German Oktoberfest, European Film Festival, and other cultural events.
Among the sponsors for the celebration are the Ideal Property Group (1st Avenue), S&D Toyota, Canon Marketing Malaysia, Hairstory International & Global Story Academy, whose generous support has made this event possible.
Their contributions have been invaluable in ensuring the success of the Penang Bon Odori Festival 2024.
Members of the public are invited to the Penang Bon Odori Festival 2024 and immerse yourself in the beauty of Japanese culture right here in Penang.