He said despite the invitation to submit their proposals, many locals had hesitated, fearing they were not up to mark.
To overcome this, a special clinic was to be held over the weekend to coach local talent in the submission of proposals, so they could be assured of a place at the festival.
“I appeal to local programme planners and artistes to come forward and share their ideas for talks, performances and other events which we can host at next year’s festival,” he said in a press conference with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng here today.
The call for proposals for the GTF began on Oct 15 and will end on Jan 15. Those interested can visit www.georgetownfestival.com.
“There is a lack of local proposals. We have had proposals from 15 countries, but only four locals sent in theirs last year.”
The GTF will return for its eighth year and will be held over six weekends between July 28 and Sept 3. It is mostly funded by the Penang government, with an allocation of RM4.5 million for the festival next year.
He said there was a slight increase in Malaysian events in the GTF this year, with 89 events, compared to 83 last year. International events stood at 52 this year as opposed to 40 last year.
Joe said for next year, there would be a strong Malay flavour that focussed on Malay music. It would be a joint effort between the Arts and Culture Department and Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Joe also announced that more than 20 types of laksa, from Asean countries, would be featured under the Laksa of the Region (LOTR) competition, at next year’s GTF.
“It would pit Malaysia’s best laksa against different versions of the spicy noodle soup from Southeast Asia.
“This will also promote Penang as a regional food haven,” he said.
Widely credited as a Peranakan dish, laksa consists of rice noodles served in a spicy or sour broth usually with coconut milk, tamarind, Vietnamese coriander and daun kesum (mint leaf) as well as lashings of fish, chicken or prawns. In 2011, CNN rated Penang’s Asam Laksa as the 7th most delicious dish in the world out of 50 others.
Joe said the LOTR competition would be held at the Penang State Museum at Macalister Road and added, “We are planning to place all the laksa (dishes) at one location, allowing people to vote the best as they wish.”