Both George Town and Malacca have been acknowledged by Unesco as World Heritage Sites, but that’s where the similarity ends. Spot the difference between the plans for celebrations in these places as reported in The Star online today.
George Town to have 3-day celebration (updated)
By K. KASTURI DEWI
GEORGE TOWN: Fireworks will light up the night sky at the Esplanade here on July 26 as Penangites celebrate George Town’s listing as a World Heritage Site.
A three-day celebration will be held within the historical enclave of the city, with cultural shows, free trishaw rides and clan jetties’ visits for tourists, flower mural painting and tree planting to commemorate the occasion.
Penang Municipal Council president Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman said Friday the council was allocating about RM150,000 for the celebration which would start on July 25.
On July 26, the Yang di-Pertua Negri (TYT) Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister will grace a cultural show at the Esplanade from 8.45pm to 11pm.
“There will be some fireworks display that night to commemorate the historic event and an acceptance of a declaration of George Town’s listing by the TYT. The whole event will be held in a very traditional setting,” Zainal told reporters after Friday’s full council meeting.
The three-day event will kick-start with thanksgiving prayers held at various places of worship…
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Malacca to celebrate Unesco inscription over one month
By MARTIN CARVALHO
MALACCA: The state will hold a month-long celebration next month to commemorate Malacca and George Town’s inscription as historical cities of the Straits of Malacca under Unesco’s World Heritage Sites (WHS).
Chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said that details of the event would be finalised by Wednesday and will include plans for the unveiling of a specially-designed archway to house the WHS plaque.
“We have tentatively chosen the entire month of August for the celebration.
“It is a historic occasion for all Malaccans and we want those living in the heritage zone area to actively participate in the festivities,” he told reporters here Friday after visiting the Warriors Mausoleum at Al ‘Azim Mosque.
Among the items to be included is a ceremony for Mohd Ali to receive the WHS plaque from a Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) representative from Paris, France. The plaque would later be embedded unto a specially-designed archway in the city.
“We have yet to decide to location of the arch or gateway and invite members of the public to give their opinion on the most appropriate site for it,” he said, adding that all proposals could be forwarded to him or to the State Secretary’s Office in Ayer Keroh.
