George Town, Penang, Malaysia, 11 April 2021: George Town Festival’s efforts to promote Penang’s diversity through the arts continue with the launching of its debut publication – Penang at a Glance – at Bangunan U.A.B today. Penang State EXCO for Tourism & Creative Economy (PETACE) YB Yeoh Soon Hin presides over the launching ceremony.

Penang at a Glance – which is also the Festival’s first publication, marking its venture into publishing – showcases Penang’s breathtaking landscapes, festivals, celebrations, arts, culture, heritage, people and lifestyles, captured from the lenses of four local photographers from four different backgrounds. The photographers are engineers Govindarajoo Selvathurai and Thum Chia Chieh, as well as civil servant Oh Chin Eng and professional photographer Sherwynd Rylan Kessler.

The 96-page photobook aims to enable locals and visitors to get to know Penang in a deeper way by highlighting the state’s diversity as well as to inspire a deeper desire to cherish and conserve its prized heritage through photography. At the same time, it also aims to attract more festival-goers to Penang to discover its beauty and vibrancy in the near future, thus boosting the state’s tourism sector in the long run.

In his speech, YB Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang State EXCO for Tourism & Creative Economy (PETACE), says, “In this book, you will find familiar and rare images of Penang, from old pre-war shophouses, vanishing trades and friendly people in the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the fish farms in Batu Maung, paddy fields in Seberang Perai, and more. You will also discover breathtaking photographs of the state’s vibrant celebrations captured all around the island and mainland.

“More than that, the photobook is also our effort in recognising our local talents. I once read a quote that goes, “A camera didn’t make a great picture any more than a typewriter wrote a great novel.” I want to express my gratitude to the talented photographers, who are all passionate Penangites, for utilising their talents to promote the state’s beauty.”

Penang at a Glance is retailed at RM60 per copy. The photobook is available for purchase in stores and online at the Festival’s website. The book’s publication will be followed by a photo exhibition, scheduled to be held alongside George Town Festival 2021 in July this year.

For more information, please visit georgetownfestival.com or follow George Town Festival on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.