Tourists treated to backstage experience at the opera

GEORGE TOWN: It was an eye-opener for a group of foreign tourists when they visited a Phor Thor (Hungry Ghost Festival) celebration.

The group of British, Kiwi, Spanish, Swiss, German and Chinese nationals was seen taking pictures of the paper statue of Tai Su Yeah (King of Hades) on an altar decked with offerings in Seck Chuan Lane here. They also watched the traditional Teochew opera there.

Parisian Heloise Fontanel, 30, said what she saw was beyond her imagination and she was greatly fascinated by the festival. “I know there is a real mix of cultures here but this is a real surprise to see such a celebration right in the town centre,” she said.

University student Jiang Chang Wei, 20, from Anhui in China, said the festival was better preserved here than in China. “We hardly see stage shows like this anymore,” he said.

New Zealander Lorenzo Santa-maria, 38, who went backstage for a glimpse of the preparations, said it felt “like a dream”. “I had the opportunity to watch a performance when I visited Ipoh last week and getting backstage today completed my experience on a perfect note,” he said.

-thestar online.