TheStar: A STATE-LEVEL Phor Thor (Hungry Ghosts Festival) celebration will be held at Padang Brown, Penang, from Aug 19 to Aug 21.

Jointly organised by the Penang Government and Penang Teong Guan Association, an exhibition on Buddhism, a movie screening, Chinese opera and puppet performances will be held during the three-day event.

State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said this was the first time the state government was holding such an event.

“Previously, we would list the places where the Phor Thor celebrations would be held so that tourists could attend but this year, we are making it easier by holding them all in one place and providing visitors with all the information associated with the festival.

“There is a lot of myth associated with Phor Thor so we will be screening a movie on the religious significance of the festival which promotes filial piety,” he said.

“There will not be any stage show performances,” he told a press conference.

The religious exhibition will be from 10am to 10pm.

The opera and puppet shows start at 8pm and admission is free.

The Star Online

Monday August 9 2010