Date: 16-July-2011

Time: 6.00pm - 11.00pm

Venue: The Esplanade

Organizer:

The Consulate of Japan, Penang State Tourism Development & Culture and Bon Odori Committee

The Bon Odori Festival has become one of Penang's signature cultural event. In Japan, Bon Odori is celebrated to honour the departed spirits of ones ancestors. This festival is similar to the Hungry Ghost Festival. At the Penang Bon Odori Festival, one will have the opportunity to witness the showcase of Japanese culture, try out delicious Japanese food and not to mention, mingle around with the Japanese community in Penang.

This year the Bon Odori Festival will be held on 16 July 2011, from 6pm – 11pm at the Esplanade. There will be an exciting line up of performances, specially imported from Japan. The first one is the Samurai Maeda Toshiie Onda Mai, a Yosakoi dance group from Nagoya. The Yosakoi dance is a unique and traditional dance with a modern twist. Interestingly, the group's name originates from the famous Japanese Samurai warior, Maeda Toshiie. Ms Ranko Kurano,a famous Japanese opera singer will be singing a few Japanese songs. Ms Kurano used to teach at the Universiti Sains Malaysia and have been performing in Penang for the past year.

Then there's the Sasayama Dekansho Dance Wakamono Ren performance. “Dekansho” is a folk song originated from a Bon Odori song in Sasayama, Hyogo in the 17 th century. This group of youth is part of the Dekansyo Preservation Society and are supported by JENESYS (Japanese- East Asia Network of Exhange Students and Youth) , a programme by the Japanese government. The Penang Japanese School, Sakura-kai, Pink Hibiscus and Malaysian Students will also be performing for the night.

Bring your friends and family, and come dressed in traditional Japanese costumes, if you have one. And don't forget, at 10.00pm sharp there will be an extravagant display of fireworks!

Photography Competition
In conjunction with the Bon Odori Festival, there will be a Bon Odori Photography Competition.

Source: Penang Official Tourism Website