AFTER going virtual for the past two years, the 12th edition of the George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) will be back in physical mode this November.
This year, GTLF is themed “Taming the Wild” and is set to take place from Nov 24 to 27.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the state constantly strives to expand the creative industry in Penang for it to shine at the international platform.
“I believe that literature and cultural development are tightly bound up with the development of our society.
“We acknowledge the rising need to maintain the diverse identities of society while uplifting the quality of life.
“So, the Penang government aims to create more literacy learning spaces for our people as well as for international visitors, in line with the Penang2030 Vision and the goals of Penang Tourism Master Plan 2021-2030,” Yeoh said during a press conference yesterday.
Yeoh said the GTLF has been actively celebrating and documenting literature, arts and culture by welcoming many local and international authors, artists, thinkers and performers to Penang.
“Internet and new media have changed the circumstances of literature and art and have brought a profound change in literature and art forms and practices.
“Because of the digitisation of words and books, literature and art and even social culture are facing a major transformation.
“We must adapt to the development of these circumstances, grasp online literature and art creation and production well,” he added.
Apart from that, Yeoh said the GTLF has produced podcasts during the movement control order period and has continued to attract its audience digitally.
“This is a testament to Penang’s capability and innovation in pushing the creative industry despite global challenges.
“It (podcasts) has created a platform for a diverse range of audiences to continue sharing their ideas globally.
“As of December 31, 2021, GTLF’s podcasts and videos were heard by 305,830 listeners across its various platforms,” said Yeoh.
The festival will be directed by Pauline Fan and curated by Izzuddin Rami, who are renowned personalities among Malaysian and translators.
Meanwhile, Fan said the GTLF has further expanded this year by including curators for Tamil and Mandarin panels.
“These panels will be curated by M. Navin, a distinguished Malaysian Tamil writer, and Dr Florence Kuek of Universiti Malaya, whose research focus includes Chinese literature as well as literary criticism.
“The festival is grateful for the continued support from the state government, Embassy of France, Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, Taipei Economic Cultural Office in Malaysia (TECO), Think City, Bangunan Wawasan, The Prestige Penang and other cultural organisations and related foreign embassies.
“With the exception of writing workshops by festival writers, GTLF remains free for all members of the public,” Fan said.
The festival’s main site is along Gat Lebuh Cina, George Town.
Prominent Japanese bookstore Kinokuniya is back as the festival’s official bookstore for the fourth consecutive year.
Kinokuniya’s pop-up store will be located at UAB Building from Nov 25 to 27.
It is learned that the festival has a total of 72 participants from 18 countries.
The Canada High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Institute for Debate and Public Speaking (MIDP), Freedom Film Festival Penang and the British Council Malaysia are among the event partners.
The festival is funded by the state government while produced by Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) for the seventh (7th) consecutive year.
Also present was PCEB executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran.
Those who are interested can log onto www.georgetownlitfest.com for further information or visit the festival’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/georgetownlitfest/
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat