GEORGE TOWN, PENANG
12 November 2010

Re-launch of Penang Story: Rediscovering Penang’s place in Global History
Think City Sdn Bhd (“Think City”) in collaboration with Penang Heritage Trust (“PHT”) and knowledge partners the George Town World Heritage Incorporated & Universiti Sains Malaysia (“USM”) today re-launched Penang Story, a cultural mapping project under the George Town Grants Programme (“GTGP”). This new chapter of the Penang Story will have special emphasis on Penang as a place of “conjunctures, confluences and contestations” – highlighting the multi-ethnic, cosmopolitan society that contributed to local, regional and global histories.
“The Penang Story project will build a greater sense of solidarity amongst locals particularly stakeholders in George Town, where communities will deepen their understanding and be proud of their own heritage whilst having great respect for the traditions and histories of other communities,” said Dato’ Anwar Fazal, the chairman of Penang Story committee. “Ultimately, all communities will become aware of having contributed to Penang’s development and progress.”

There are 4 key themes of the project:

1. Penang Muslim Heritage Project: This initiative brings to light Penang’s Muslim Heritage with particular emphasis on Islam’s imprint in the George Town World Heritage Site. A combination of popular as well as scholarly documentation projects will illuminate the unique and diverse histories of the community.

Key projects: Conservation & Rejuvenation of the Masjid Kapitan Keling Dome & Mosque, Penang Muslim Heritage Booklet project.

2. Penang & Global Movements: This work track focuses on Penang’s role in the development of nationalism, particularly Asian nationalism. Owing to its unique position as an important sea port, Penang attracted people from all over the world.

Key projects: The Penang Conference & the Birth of Modern China (November 2010), Pan-Islamism, Public Interest Activism, Environmentalism, Educational Networks.

3. Penang Story Conference: highlighting and positioning Penang’s social history via major international inter-disciplinary conferences.

Key projects: Penang Muslims in Global History, Penang & The Indian Ocean.

4. Penang Story Lecture Series: The lecture series aims to create awareness about the fascinating role Penang has played in history. It aims to explore Penang’s unique “place-identity” and strengthen the enabling factors that continue to make Penang attractive to talent. These public lectures examine a particular theme from a multi-disciplinary perspective.
   

   Key projects: The Penang Muslim Legacy, Penang’s role in the making of Modern China, Remnants of a Relationship: Significance of the Bujang Valley to Penang, etc.

The project’s focus is not only on events & people but also other intangible heritage involving foodways, economic activities, values and beliefs, education and all other aspects related to George Town’s Outstanding Universal Values.

Associated partners in this project include the academics from Cambridge and London Universities and Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (MBRAS).

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For further information, please contact Veronica Liew at +604-222 6956 or via e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

About Think City Sdn Bhd

Think City, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, is the special purpose vehicle set up to implement and manage the George Town Grants Programme (“GTGP”). The GTGP is designed to stimulate urban regeneration and rejuvenation within the George Town World Heritage Site (“WHS”), by encouraging projects that promote inclusiveness and a shared understanding of George Town’s Outstanding Universal Values (“OUVs”) between residents, businesses and visitors alike. This approach is aimed at enhancing the city’s livability and to build social capital over time. The GTGP will be implemented for a period of two years. Information on GTGP projects is available on the Think City website (www.thinkcity.com.my).