Date: 26th July 2009. 8.30am to 11am

Location: Esplanade, Penang

Chingay is originated from China, and the Penang Chinese first performed Chingay in 1899 during deity processions. It is a street art where the performer balances a giant flag that ranges from 25 ft to 32 ft in height and about 60 pounds in weight.

Over the years, the local Chinese has been improvising the Chingay performance. From a basic giant flag balancing by a solo performer, Chingay has developed to a team performance that consists of more than 15 persons in a troupe. Today, Chingay is not only performed by the Chinese, but the art has successfully attracted the Malays and Indians. It has become a very unique multiracial performance. The popularity of CHINGAY in Penang in particular, has also made it one of the very interesting cultural landmarks as well as an important tourist attraction.

The Penang State Government would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the all Chingay performers, especially to the Penang Chingay Association, North Malaysia Chingay Association and Butterworth Chingay Association. They have continued this hundred-year-old art in this century. For decades, they have been pushing their limits to create more interesting stunts to spice up the Chingay performance. They have flourished the art, performed not only locally but internationally, and make it a national performance that all of us are proud of. They have revolutionized Chingay.

Thanks to them, we are proud to say that, Chingay has become our very own local art today.

To bring Chingay to the next level, we strongly believe that the spirit of competition should always be there. The healthy spirit in competition will not only lead an art towards excellence, it gives recognition and encouragement to the performers as well.

I’m pleased to announce that the Penang State Government will resume the National Chingay Competition after it stopped for a year in 2008. The Competition will be held on 26 July 2009, Sunday morning at Esplanade, the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Not only that, the Penang State Government will also take the initiative to document the development of Chingay and meeting the Chingay veterans to set a proper competition guidelines. We acknowledged that Chingay is a century-old art that deserves special recognition.

In the past, there are many disputes on the judging criteria and judging system. This year, we are going to improve the system. We are going to work together with the Chingay veterans and performers to polish up the essence of the game, setting proper judging parameters and rules and regulations for a professional standard competition.

PRESS STATEMENT FOR CHINGAY PRESS CONFERENCE

STATE EXCO FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURE
AND PENANG NATIONAL CHINGAY COMPETITION CHAIRMAN
YB MR DANNY LAW HENG KIANG

Please view our Chingay video here.