Living Heritage Treasures Awards

PHT ‘Living Heritage Treasures of Penang’ Awards

Supported by 7-Terraces 

WHY?

We are all familiar with the tangible cultural heritage around us – the historical buildings, enclaves, monuments– and of the need to protect these for future generations. However, intangible cultural diversity encompassing skills and techniques, are viewed also as essential and critical for the continuation of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Many countries such as France, Japan, Vietnam, Korea have instituted National Living Treasures.

The Penang Heritage Trust feels that the State of Penang is particularly rich in various types and genres of intangible cultural heritage that require protection and preservation. Therefore it is considered timely that Penang continues this programme started in 2004, which seeks to identify Penangites who are still with us and who carry with them, to the highest degree, skills that need to be acknowledged, documented, preserved and transmitted, in order that we may not be left in bereavement for the loss of our heritage.

Promotion and dissemination are the by-products of this award. Greater public awareness will be created and greater appreciation of tradition and skills, of crafts and of the individuals who have persisted, maintained, promoted and developed the cultural heritage of Penang.  PHT’s Living Heritage Treasures Award will also ensure that recording and documentation take place. Techniques, practices and skills will be archived and hopefully transmitted. The PAPA Programme (Penang Apprenticeship Programme for Artisans) is a by-product of LHTA; and ThinkCity has assisted both LHTA and PAPA with process documentation as well as publicity for artisan skills and crafts. Sustainability of our cultural heritage will be the end product.


WHO?

UNESCO has stated that Living Heritage Treasures are persons who embody or who have, in the highest degree, the skills and techniques necessary for the production of certain aspects of our culture, the life of our people and the continued existence of our cultural heritage.

These aspects of cultural life may be exceptional to Penang, they may be experiencing scarcity, vulnerability or loss of significance. Through time, dedication, practice and persistence, these persons may also have advanced, promoted or preserved skills and techniques considered traditional and core to our Penang cultural heritage.


HOW?

The intangible nature of the cultural asset or treasure renders him / her vulnerable. The preservation of such intangible cultural assets implies the preservation and transmission of the skills and techniques necessary for the continuation of our cultural heritage. Therefore giving special acknowledgement and recognition to persons or collective groups, who have these skills and techniques, in the highest degree, can aim towards achieving this continuity.


PROCEDURE FOR THE PENANG LIVING HERITAGE TREASURES AWARDS:
  • The Awards will be publicised widely in the local and national press, and the public will be invited to submit candidates based on particular criteria to be laid out.
  • The background and accuracy of the nominations are checked by the PHT team
  • A Panel of Judges will be selected, composing of people who are held in public esteem, and who are acknowledged as capable, impartial, knowledgeable and even-minded. These have included a wide range of experts with backgrounds in law, musicology, arts, education, architecture and culture like the late Tan Sri Chang Min Tat, the late Dato’ Tengku Ismail Jewa, Dato’ Sharom Ahmad, Dato’ Ismail Adam, Professor Tan Sooi Beng, Dato’ Tang Hon Yin, and Hasnul Saidon.
  • The awards are limited to 3 a year and a maximum of 8 in total at any one time
  • A Certificate and a Plaque will be awarded at the annual ceremony. Over the years, Awards have been presented by the late Datin Sri Endon 2005, Tan Sri Dr Koh 2007, and YAB Lim Guan Eng 2008 and 2009.
  • There will be a cash award on an annual basis in order to assist the recipient – RM2000 per year for the remainder of his/her lifetime
  •  Arrangement will be made for full documentation of skills, techniques and processes.
  • Arrangements will be made for transmission of skills and to conduct apprenticeship wherever possible
  • Funding will be sought for post award promotions of the particular cultural heritage. These would involve performances, exhibitions, demonstrations and marketing for future economic viability
  • Funding will be sought for publication of the documentation of skills, techniques, practices and processes. Copies of documentation to be presented and lodged with Penang Heritage Trust, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, The Penang State Museum, The National Archives and Badan Warisan Malaysia.

PHT has received hundreds of nominations from the public for the Awards since its inception. Those nominated were experts in various fields such as visual arts, traditional crafts, culinary skills, martial arts, literature and performing arts.


NOMINATIONS FOR PENANG LIVING HERITAGE TREASURES AWARDS

The Penang Heritage Trust invites the public to nominate individuals that fulfil the criteria of being Penangites who are still with us and who carry with them, to the highest degree, skills that represent the Living Cultural Heritage of Penang. These men and women need to be acknowledged and their skills need to be documented, preserved and transmitted, in order that we may not be left in bereavement for the loss of our intangible heritage. The successful Awardee receives public acknowledgement, a plaque and certificate, and RM2,000 a year for the remainder of his/her lifetime.


“LIVING HERITAGE TREASURES OF PENANG” AWARDEES

1. Ooi Sew Kim – Hokkien Puppet Opera

2. Toh Ai Hwa – Teochew Puppeteer

3. Sim Buck Teik – Master Rattan Weaver

4. Cecil Rajendra – Poet & Human Rights Lawyer

5. Haja Mohideen bin O.S.M Mohamad Shariff – Handmade Songkok Artisan

6. Dato’ Seri (Dr.) Anwar Fazal – Civil Society Activist


PREVIOUS “LIVING HERITAGE TREASURES OF PENANG” AWARDEES

1. The Late Mohd Bahroodin Ahmad (1944-2008) – Cultural Expert

2. The Late Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng (1914-2008) – Batik Artist

3. The Late Yeap Seong Kee (1925-2008) – Master Kebaya Designer

4. The Late Lee Khek Hock (1939-2014) – Traditional Lantern Artisan

5. The Late Dato’ Lim Bian Yam (1933-2017) – Chef & Floral Artist

6. The Late N.B. Samarasena (1924-2019) – Master Jeweller

7. The Late Kok Ah Wah (1940-2021) – Traditional Signboard Carver

8. The Late Noo Wan @ Wan Dee Aroonratana (1924-2021) – Thai Menora / Cultural Expert


SPECIAL AWARDEE 2020:

The Late Lee Beng Chuan (1928-2020) – Handmade Joss Stick Maker


Nomination forms may be collected at 26 Church Street, 10200 George Town, Penang.

Enquiries may be made at info@pht.org.my or +604–2642631.