THE George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) 2020 will be going virtual next month in view of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said this year’s edition, themed ‘Through the Looking Glass’, would be held from Nov 26 to Nov 29.
He said the festival would continue to champion literary arts while navigating a new climate.
“This year’s edition will be shifted to online with the focus on curated podcasts, visual content and readings.
“It will see a more regional and local emphasis, engaging local talents and honouring the diverse voices.
“Penang has been a passionate patron of the arts and continues to be a lively creative hub.
“The aspects of creativity, culture and heritage have served as catalysts to spur local economic development,” Yeoh told a press conference at Courtyard by Marriot in Macalister Road today.
He added that over the years, GTLF has risen to become one of the key players in celebrating literature, arts and culture in the South East Asian (SEA) region.
GLTF 2020 will see a celebration of local and regional talent, with an expected final lineup of 60 thinkers, ranging from established to emerging names in the creative sphere.
The festival organisers may also consider organising several physical events in George Town next month such as writing, translation workshops and poetry readings.
The festival is partially funded by the International Relief Fund of the German Federal Foreign Office and Goethe-Institut this year.
GLTF 2020 is free for the public.
Also present at the press conference were Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran, festival co-directors Pauline Fan, Sharaad Kuttan, co-curator Izzuddin Ramli and Goethe-Institut director Rolf Stehle.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad