EVENTS

Penangites celebrate a vibrant calendar of festivals all year round, spanning religious, cultural and contemporary arts events nearly every month. Visitors can witness acrobatic lion dances during Chinese New Year, the intricate weaving of ketupat (rice dumplings) during Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the awe-inspiring body piercings borne by devotees during the Hindu festival of Thaipusam and the remarkable feats of balance showcased during the Penang Chingay Parade. Beyond these deep-rooted traditions, home-grown arts festivals continue to draw global audiences, led by the highly anticipated George Town Festival and the internationally acclaimed George Town Literary Festival. Other landmark annual happenings not to be missed include the George Town Heritage Celebrations, the historic Feast of St. Anne in Bukit Mertajam, as well as major events like the Penang International Food Festival, the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival and the world-class Penang Bridge International Marathon.

The Natural History Museum of Yeahnahnesia by Yok and Sheryo

Cultprint, Penang hosts “The Natural History Museum of Yeahnahnesia”, presented by artist duo Yok & Sheryo, curated by Deborah Lim, and realised in collaboration with SPUTNIKFOREST. The museum brings together a collection of rare artefacts, specimens and cultural objects—many exhibited publicly for the first time—offering an introduction to the island nation of Yeahnahnesia. Entrusted to the artists by the island’s guardians, these objects reveal its natural history, rituals and traditions, offering insight into a civilisation shaped by balance, playfulness and unhurried living. 

Visitors are invited to explore the museum’s collections through paintings, sculpture, installation and environmental design, encountering endemic species, ceremonial objects and enduring traditions that reveal the histories, beliefs and material culture of Yeahnahnesia. Through these collections, the museum invites audiences to reflect on the values that have shaped the island for generations—and to imagine what it might mean to embrace the Yeahnahnesian way of life.

Photo and Description credit: George Town Festival website