Considering Penang’s size and relative obscurity, the state has attracted and cultivated personalities that have been made famous for influencing the world. Of course, Francis Light stands out as being the first to establish Penang as a British colony. His son, William Light, then went on in his father’s footsteps and established what we now know as Adelaide in Australia. But, linking these two settlers – these visionaries responsible for setting boundaries we still use today – was Martina Rozells, Francis Light’s common-law wife and William Light’s mother. Myths and legends abound, the truth about Martina Rozells nestles somewhere between being a Princess to the Sultan of Kedah and a Catholic Eurasian of mixed Thai and Portuguese descent.
On 21st August the George Town Festival and Penang Heritage Trust bring three expert panellists – Marcus Langdon, Kelly Henderson and Datuk Wira Mohd Shariff Bin Abu Samah – to expand on the above-mentioned personalities, detailing their life and times.
It is not often in Penang that one has the opportunity to experience and participate in such concentrated discussion over Penang’s fascinating history. Aimed at connecting Penang’s shared history with Adelaide, Connecting the Lights promises to reveal fascinating details about arguably Penang’s most influential personalities – people with whom every Penangite shares a common thread.
Date: 21 Aug 2016
Time: 03:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Venue: The Royale Bintang Penang
Contact: info@georgetownfestival.com / 04-261 6308