Little Penang celebrates 7th anniversary

PENANG -Upper Penang Road comes alive every last Sunday of the month featuring almost 70 stalls that sells handmade art and crafts, collectibles, antiques, homemade food and many more.

The street of Upper Penang Road,  which is surrounded by hotels and pubs comes alive every last Sunday of the month when the  Little Penang Street Market (LPSM) is set up from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

LPSM is a non profit community venture, organized by a small volunteer committee, under the umbrella of Penang Arts Council.

The entrance from Penang Road
The entrance from Penang Road

More than 70 stalls are set up at LPSM, operated by locals and some expatriates, featuring  arts and craft, collectibles, antiques, and also home-made food.

Notably, there is an open space for concert and shows, where talented locals get to show off their performances.

The year of 2013 marks the 7th anniversary of LPSM and the event, on 28 July 2013, was graced by the chief minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng.

In Lim’s speech, he mentioned that seven years ago, there were not many activities in Penang but after Little Penang Street Market started, arts and craft markets started to spring up in other places like New World Park, Queensbay, Gurney Plaza, Times Square and Straits Quay.

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Penang CM, Lim Guan Eng, giving a speech
Penang CM, Lim Guan Eng, giving a speech

“However, many vendors here are faithful to Little Penang as this is where they started and you still see them; those who started seven years ago, operating here.

“Little Penang attracts tourists from the catchment area of the nearby hotels, looking for souvenirs. There are also Malaysians who come to town to catch the attractions of Little Penang, promoted by the Penang Global Tourism. Regulars will come every month to meet up with their friends and buy their favourite food.”

He also mentioned that Little Penang has provided an all-year round regular platform for many young musicians and performers, giving them a chance to showcase their talents and interact with other artists.

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In recognition of LPSM’s contribution to Penang’s cultural vibrancy, the Penang State Government has recently granted LPSM with RM40,000. “This is a good start,” said Lim. He hopes that LPSM will expand to become an even more prominent platform for Penang’s local talent.

There was a cake cutting ceremony after his speech. Lim was then presented with a memento,  after which performances continued.

Cake-cutting ceremony. R to L:  Lyndy Ong, Market Coordinator, Lim Guan Eng, Khoo Salma Nasution, Adviser & Pioneer of LPSM and Eric Cheah, LPSM Vice Chairman.
Cake-cutting ceremony.
R to L: Lyndy Ong, Market Coordinator, Lim Guan Eng, Khoo Salma Nasution, Adviser & Pioneer of LPSM and Eric Cheah, LPSM Vice Chairman.
Lyndy Ong presenting a souvenir to Lim
Lyndy Ong presenting a souvenir to Lim.
Part of the audience watching the cake-cutting ceremony
Part of the audience watching the cake-cutting ceremony.

The Penang Eurasians gave a vibrant cultural dance, which was performed by dancers of various ages. Towards the end of the dance, they invited the audience to join in. The chief minister also sportingly joined in, swaying and twirling to the delight of the audience.

Cultural dance by the Penang Eurasian
Cultural dance by the Penang Eurasians.
Lim sportingly join in the dance!
Lim sportingly joins in the dance!

Some visitors stayed on to enjoy the rest of the performances, while others went browsing the many stalls.

Penang Philharmonic Jazz Combo
Penang Philharmonic Jazz Combo.
Corrine and Michelle Baum (sisters) singing some country songs
Corrine and Michelle Baum (sisters) singing some country songs.
Tiffin carriers from your grandma times... and even a potty.
Tiffin carriers from your grandma times… and even a potty.
Hand-made ear-rings
Hand-made earrings.
All sorts of bags and pouches that are hand-made
All sorts of bags and pouches that are hand-made.
ear-rings, pendants, necklace... all sorts of jewellery.
Earrings, pendants, necklaces… all sorts of jewelries.
local food
Local food.
T-shirt printing
T-shirt printing.
lovely paintings
Lovely paintings.
Bags and other stuffs made of bamboo/rattan.
Bags and other items made of bamboo/rattan.
Cute dolls and buttons that are hand-made
Cute dolls and buttons that are hand-made.

Lucia Lai