By Marina Emmanuel

AS Malaysia and the rest of the world train their eyes to King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla’s coronation this weekend in the United Kingdom, we too, can celebrate in our own way in our neighbourhoods.

Penang’s modern history as we very well know, is tied to 1786, when Captain Francis Light established George Town.

Wikipedia and other sources of reference tell us that Penang (also known as the Prince of Wales Island) formed part of the Straits Settlements in 1826, which became a British crown colony in 1867.

Direct British rule was only briefly interrupted during World War II, when Japan occupied Penang; the British retook Penang in 1945. Penang was later merged with the Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia), which gained independence from the British in 1957.

If you find yourself in George Town this weekend, how about walking in the steps of our colonial “fathers” and get into the spirit of the much anticipated Coronation Day?

George Town’s Unesco Heritage City is still home to many touches of its colonial past.

Take a stroll along the now-refreshed Esplanade (Padang Kota Lama) and take in Fort Cornwallis (now being refreshed) and then head over to the Moorish-inspired Jubilee Clock Tower at the intersection of Lebuh Light and Lebuh Pantai.

Make your way past the two-century old St George’s Church (Souhtheast Asia’s oldest Anglican church and recently declared a pro-cathedral) on Lebuh Farqhuar before you give yourself a musical treat at the Church of Assumption (on the same street).

“This is the first time in many decades that the Church of the Assumption (Penang) is hosting with an orchestra in attendance,” says the church’s resident pipe organist Leonard Gurunathan.

The accoustics at the venue, he notes, go hand in hand with the artists , chorus and orchestra under the baton of Dan Guerrard and Annie Chow in making a memorable Saturday afternoon.

“There will be an organ solo in the programme too to complete the icing on the cake,” promises Gurunathan.

The 3pm concert of Baroque favourites will include “Zadok the Priest”, which aptly, is a British anthem that was composed by George Frideric Handel for the coronation of King George II in 1727.

Alongside The King Shall Rejoice, My Heart is Inditing, and Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened, “Zadok the Priest” is one of Handel’s coronation anthems.

(Tickets : https://www.ticket2u.com.my/event/30338)

After the concert, why not pop across the street to the Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O) for a spot of tea or a sundowner? The heritage hotel, had once upon a time, been the venue of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation ball.