Date : 19th July 2008 (Saturday)
Time : Begins about after 5:00pm-6:00pm, Ends around 11:00pm
Venue : Esplanade
Admission : Free!
Bon Odori Festival, a festival that Japanese people worship their beloved ancestors is the most popular cultural event in Penang. People in Japan entertain the spirits of their ancestors by dancing Bon Odori, and in Penang, the ladies from the women's club of Penang Japanese Association dance on the stage together with thousands of Malaysians dancing in the field. This year’s Bon Odori Festival programs included Japanese drum performance by Miyabi Daikob and Penang Japanese School students, Yosakoi Soran by Malaysian Japanese Society and Children's Protection Society. Besides all these interesting programs, there were food stalls that sold Japanese food as well as local food, souvenirs, traditional games and so on.
Well, in previous years there were fireworks display at the end of the event except for last year 2007 which was held at Padang Brown but this year it is back to Esplanade so, expect fireworks at the end of the event (hopefully)
Features of Bon Odori Festival in Penang
- Organized by the Japanese Expatriate & Immigrant's Society in Malaysia, Bon Odori Festival in Penang, however is observed in a smaller dimension as compared to that in Japan.
- Interestingly enough, this festival today reflects more Japanese culture than the inherent principles of Buddhism.
- You will be able to enjoy hordes of Japanese food, drinks, art and dance in this festival.
- This festival is the Japanese counterpart of the Chinese’s Hungry Ghost Festival..
