 Penang
is once again making preparations to host its “World
Music Festival 2008” and this time it will be
held from 2nd May till 4th May at the Botanic Gardens.
The atmosphere of these beautifully
landscaped Gardens will again be filled with enchanting
melodies originating from various parts of the world
when world-renowned musicians converge in harmonic
fusion at this spectacular music festival held for
the second time here.
This time it is expected to attract
a bigger crowd as traditional music enthusiasts –
international, regional and local – throng the
Botanic Gardens to enjoy enthralling shows from different
performing bands from cultural or community-inspired
roots. The music festival was successfully held in
July last year and attracted over 5,000 fans.
The 11 international and 4 local
bands, while worlds apart in many ways all remain
true to their roots when performing. Prominent ethnic
undertones and unique musical thumbprints are enhanced
where traditional instruments become focal points.
The international bands hail from France, Reunion
Island, Mexico, Iran, India, Denmark, Kenya, Tibet,
Canada, USA and Croatia.
The “World Music Festival 2008
– Penang”, one of the events under the
Visit Malaysia Year banner, is jointly organised by
the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia and the Penang Tourism
Action Council. This festival is supported by The
E&O Group as its Platinum Sponsor as well as MBF
Cards (M’sia) Sdn Bhd as its Official Credit
Card Partner.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
was signed here today between the Ministry and The
E&O Group for the Platinum Sponsorship of the
World Music Festival 2008 · Penang for a total
value of RM1 million. The signing of the MoU was witnessed
by Chief Minister of Penang YAB Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu
Koon.
Also present were the State Exco
for Tourism and Environment YB Mr. Teng Chang Yeow,
who is also the Chairman of Penang Tourism Action
Council; the Ministry’s Secretary-General Y.Bhg.
Datuk Dr. Victor Wee, who signed on behalf of the
Ministry; and Chairman, The E&O Group Y.Bhg. Datuk
Azizan Abd Rahman, who signed on behalf of the company.
The very generous monetary contribution,
owing to YB Mr. Teng Chang Yeow’s commendable
effort, initiative and forethought, is indeed a boon
for this second run of the World Music Festival 2008
· Penang which illustrates how a private sector
has faith in homegrown truly Malaysian products. It
should also set as a role model for other private
organisations to ensue.
Speaking at the media conference
following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
between the Ministry of Tourism and The E&O Group
for the Sponsorship, Y.Bhg. Datuk Azizan bin Abd Rahman,
Chairman of The E&O Group said, “Led by
the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia and Penang Tourism
Action Council, the E&O Group is honoured to support
the World Music Festival 2008 • Penang as the
main platinum sponsor. This exciting global music
complements the E&O’s hospitality and property
development divisions in drawing both local and international
audiences to the many attractions of culturally vibrant
Penang.”
Besides engaging in cultural exchange,
the music festival can bring people around the globe
to come here and this will help brand Malaysia as
a premiere destination for music and entertainment-based
tourism. In addition, it will put Malaysia on the
world map as the world-class centre of arts, music
and culture with international groups performing to
large audiences in a controlled and organised manner.
It is a total festive concept as
there will be no chairs set up in rigid formality,
amidst the lush trees and tropical foliage surrounding
the whole area, benevolently by the old quarry cliffs
of Penang Hill. The whole area will be like a friendly
picnic ground where people can sit or recline on the
grass, walk about or join the party crowd on their
feet, right in front of the stage.
Food stalls are also set up to cater
for the crowd in the evening as well as ample public
washrooms situated at the site and mobile ones for
the convenience of the audience.
For further information, kindly call
the Penang Tourism Action Council at +604-226 9727
or log-in to www.penangworldmusicfestival.com | 
