The Penang Orchid Festival is set to take place at Penang Botanic Gardens from Dec 10 to 18.

The festival is organised by the Federation of Malaysia Orchid Society (Fomos) with the support of the state government.

“Fomos has been organising this annual festival for almost 60 years, but it could not be held for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We had some 15,000 visitors to the festival when we last held it in 2019,” said Fomos president Tony Tan during a press conference at Komtar.

State publisher Buletin Mutiara reported that the festival would be open from 9 am to 9 pm.

There will be a talk on how to grow orchids on Dec 11 from 9 am to noon.

Other activities such as tours, orchid plant sales and demonstrations will also take place during the festival.

Fomos secretary Tan Kim Lean said the festival would also feature an orchid competition, starting on the first day.

“Those who are interested to join are required to be there with their plants by 1pm.

“We have invited judges from various countries, such as Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia,” she said.

State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the festival would further promote Penang’s tourism industry.

“This annual orchid exhibition will directly boost tourism for our state by bringing in many tourists, especially orchid lovers.

“I have high hopes for Fomos in making the orchid show better every year. Festivals such as these will inspire innovative thinking and creativity in our community,” Yeoh added.