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24 April 2016: Penang & Nyonya nostalgia May 16, 2016 – Posted in: Newsletters

There is not, probably, any part of the world, where, in so small a space, so many different people are assembled together, or so many languages spoken. – Sir George Leith on Penang Nostalgia sells. As society propels itself towards irreversible modernity and change, the nostalgia bandwagon does brisk business filling yearnings for virtual glimpses into a familiar and comforting past – through books, films, music and other forms of commercial media. Age of the…

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17 April 2016: Earth Day 2016 special – Posted in: Newsletters

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself. – Rumi Each year, April 22 marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. It acknowledges the responsibility we bear to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a balance between economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations. Today, Earth Day is recognised as the largest…

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10 April 2016: Penang Hill Funicular Railway – Remembering an engineering feat 1923-2010 April 18, 2016 – Posted in: Newsletters

The tales of the hills of Penang are many. This book by Ric Francis tells the remarkable story of the earliest hill station of its kind in British colonial history, and explains how Penang became home to one of the great engineering feats. It’s a story that the reader will find continuously fascinating. – Dato’ Anwar Fazal It has undergone several makeovers over the years, suffered several disruptions and even went into temporary hiatus, but…

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27 March 2016: Penang authentic Nyonya cuisine – Posted in: Newsletters

Bee Lee Tan’s critically acclaimed cookbooks brought her recipes and culinary skills into the kitchens of both Western and Asian homes. By articulating the culture and cuisine of the Peranakan community, she has enlivened the memories of some of these recipes while helping to preserve and promote her nyonya heritage. What is it about Nyonya food that is so compelling? It reflects the tremendous variety of taste of Malaysians. Like their art, culture and languages,…

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Syed Thajudeen – A Retrospective April 11, 2016 – Posted in: Newsletters

The core human values like love, compassion, faith, filial piety, honesty and trust feature prominently in Syed Thajudeen’s works. They are an affirmation of the good self, of togetherness, love and mutual nurture. The Penang State Museum & Art Gallery has been honouring several Penang-based artists with Retrospective exhibitions over the past decade. For those who wanted a tangible memento of their favourite artists, or for those who missed the events, they have been packaged…

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13 March 2016: Celebrating all things Taiping March 14, 2016 – Posted in: Newsletters

“Taiping has undergone numerous changes but yet managed to retain its distinctive character.” This week we celebrate all things Taiping – the town of everlasting peace. From history and heritage, landmarks to businesses, we put it all into proper perspective in our featured publications. Myriad photographs and a map share space with a biography of a famous Taiping son. Read together, they strike a fine balance between the past and present of Taiping. In this day…

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06 Mar 2016: The Blue Mansion & The Penang Colouring Book March 7, 2016 – Posted in: Newsletters

With a lively interaction between text and illustration, Drawing the Blue Mansion and The Penang Colouring Book artfully captures the heritage of Penang and stimulates the reader’s dimensional imaginations. Picture books are no longer seen as the stuff of young readers. Their contents can range from simple ideas to complex and sophisticated scenarios. Though not exactly a recent phenomenon, picture books, because of their versatility, are now regarded as one of the most important literary formats in…

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21 Feb 2016: The Valley of Hope February 25, 2016 – Posted in: Newsletters

The history of the Sungai Buloh leprosy settlement has been vividly captured in a series of books and videos produced by a team of researchers. Featuring many old photographs, brief histories, family reunions and stories of former patients who were forcefully isolated due to their affliction. These journeys from hopelessness and despair to healing and happiness are nothing short of moving. There is little doubt that stories of human interest generate much attention, whatever the…

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31 Jan 2016: Stories and landmarks of Penang and George Town February 15, 2016 – Posted in: Newsletters

Our featured books this week are remarkable examples of historical and cultural narratives brought to life through articulate research and sumptuous photographs of famous landmarks and peoples. Their stories are presented in a readable manner that will appeal to a broad audience. The books can be enjoyed from the comfort of your chair or be taken along as guides during an active walking tour. George Town – World Heritage Site (Mark Thompson, Karl Steinberg &…

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23 Jan 2016: The Chulia in Penang – historical talk & exhibition (Jan 2016) – Posted in: Newsletters

Please join us for a historical talk on Saturday, 30 January, 2016 and an exhibition from 28th January to 28th March, 2016 in Kuala Lumpur. The events are organised by the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. Entrance is free for both events. Seats for the talk are limited; please RSVP via email to education@iamm.org.my or call 03-2270 5111/5101/5103. The Chulia Diaspora, Mosque and Endowments Lecture The Chulia in Penang Photography Exhibition The Chulia Diaspora, Mosque and Endowments Date: Saturday, 30 January, 2016 Time:…

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