Penang Puppet Festival 2026 檳城偶戲節 2026

BERBUNGA | 生花

Penang Puppet Festival (PPF) returns from 12–23 August 2026 with its third edition, BERBUNGA (生花), celebrating puppetry as a living tradition that continues to grow, adapt and inspire across generations.

The festival opens with a historic gathering of representatives from five regions where Hokkien glove puppetry (POTEHI) continues to flourish—Penang, Jakarta, Singapore, Taipei and Zhangzhou (Fujian)—marking the first time these living traditions come together in Southeast Asia.

Over 12 days, audiences can experience performances, exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, forums and community programmes featuring diverse forms of puppetry, including POTEHI, Teochew iron-rod puppetry, Wayang Kulit Kelantan, contemporary puppetry and shadow theatre.

More than a celebration of performance, PPF 2026 creates a platform for intercultural dialogue, artistic exchange and heritage transmission, inviting audiences to discover how traditional puppetry continues to bloom in the contemporary world.

檳城偶戲節（Penang Puppet Festival, PPF）將於 2026 年 8 月 12 至 23 日舉行，以「生花 BERBUNGA」為主題，透過演出、交流與創作，展現偶戲作為活態文化，如何在不同土地持續生長、傳承與創新。

本屆偶戲節將迎來東南亞首次——來自檳城、雅加達、新加坡、臺北及福建漳州五個仍延續閩南布袋戲（POTEHI）傳承的地區代表齊聚檳城，共同呈現同源文化在不同社會與歷史脈絡下所發展出的多元風貌。

十二天的節目涵蓋布袋戲、潮州鐵枝木偶、吉蘭丹皮影戲、當代偶戲及影子戲等多元偶戲形式，並設有展覽、講座、工作坊、論壇及社區活動，打造一個連結藝術、文化、教育與國際交流的平台，讓傳統偶戲在當代持續綻放新的生命力。

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OTHER FASCINATING PROGRAMMES

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.

乔游记 George Town Cultural Hunt

More than just a treasure hunt, George Town Cultural Hunt transforms the city into a real-life adventure game where participants explore, discover, and unlock hidden experiences through their mobile phones. Guided by clues and interactive challenges, teams will navigate through the streets of George Town, uncover secret locations, complete missions, and reveal stories hidden within the city’s vibrant culture and heritage. As participants progress through the hunt, they will encounter local businesses, traditional trades, cultural landmarks, and unique community experiences that bring the city to life. Each checkpoint presents a new challenge, requiring teamwork, creativity, observation, and problem-solving to advance to the next stage of the adventure. Blending digital exploration with real-world discovery, the programme turns George Town City into an immersive playground filled with surprises around every corner. Whether you’re racing against the clock, solving puzzles, or uncovering hidden gems, every mission unlocks a new part of the journey! Grab your phone, gather your team, and get ready to EXPLORE, SOLVE, and UNLOCK a side of George Town that few ever get to experience!!

Artisan II

Step into the forgotten workshops of George Town in “Artisan II” by Low Chee Peng. Inspired by the city’s master craftsmen and the traditional trades that once filled its streets, this immersive exhibition captures the spirit of artisans whose skills were passed down through generations. As these workshops disappear from the urban landscape, “Artisan II” invites audiences to rediscover the people, places, and heritage that helped shape the soul of George Town.