PENANG PADDY FESTIVAL /

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Penang Paddy Festival 2.0 (Pesta Padi Pulau Pinang) which will be held on 16 August to 18 August 2019 at Kampung Terus in Permatang Pauh. This is a cross- cultural event spanning visual arts, dance, music, performance and food.

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WHY PADDY? In Asian cultures, paddy milled into rice is the energy-giving, life-sustaining source of food for the majority, and yet nowadays we see a disdain for the “art” and “craft” of paddy cultivation. Food security has become one of the government main agendas and it is essential for the overall development.

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Furthermore, the government has emphasized that food security is synonymous with rice security. Many paddy fields have even made way for the more lucrative use of the land – building of residential housing and shops. Youths aiming for cushy air-conditioned jobs have shied away from paddy cultivation, leaving a once booming agricultural practice to the old generation to reminisce about the good old days.

The goal of the festival is to raise awareness to the hardships of paddy farmers, especially to the younger generation. At the same time, it is also to bring attention to the rapid urbanisation of Seberang Perai, where many tracts of agriculture lands are being converted for housing and commercial purposes.

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Organised by Pusat Khidmat Adun Penanti and Pusat Khidmat Parlimen Permatang Pauh, the festival aims to tell the story of the heritage of Kampung Terus’s paddy farmers through storytelling sessions, music, traditional rice planting sessions, fun fly demo, and traditional game.

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As part of the programme, the Kampung Terus paddy farmers will lead festival visitors into the paddy field to plant rice the traditional way. Buffaloes will also be used to plough the field. Visitors can take part to learn how to make scarecrow and create artworks inspired by paddy planting.

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Besides, the Tradition of Paddy Seedling, a public talk will be held too. Paddy farmers will share their knowledge on old farming traditions. They will talk about rice mill, types of rice as well as tradition and modern farming techniques.

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The festival’s slogan is Padiku, Warisanku. There will be a free concert involving hala dance (show gratitude for getting good harvest), paddy field drum performance (gendang silat drums) and wayang kulit.

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There will be a few temporary art structure inspired by paddy planting along Kampung Terus. Visitors will be taken on a tour of the artworks by organiser. These temporary art structure will be main photo spot of the festival.

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In conclusion, the viewing of rice art in this season can easily be combined with the local cultural and attractions to create a day of fun. Have a FUN RICE DAY!