The Penang Institute is set to organise the George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) this year from Nov 29 to Dec 1, with the theme ‘Word on the Street’ celebrating the uniqueness of Penang streets.
This marks the institute’s first time organising the event since it last managed the festival in 2015.
During a press conference at Penang Institute today, its executive director Datuk Dr Ooi Kee Beng announced that the 14th edition of GTLF will feature the stories, voices, and language that reflect the vibrant culture of George Town.
“The festival will underscore the importance of literature in expressing urban experiences and the power of language in shaping society.
“It is part of the renewed commitment to honour Penang’s formidable cultural past, present and future, and how we can place Penang’s literary heritage and educational prowess.
“I firmly believe that such an event will stimulate our younger generation to think about the stories worth writing, listening to, and enjoying,” he explained.
This year’s festival will receive a significant boost, thanks to sponsorships from the private sector, including Greatech Technology and HSBC Malaysia,
Ooi thanked both companies for their contributions. Greatech Technology has pledged RM600,000 to support the festival for three consecutive years under the Penang Institute’s stewardship while HSBC Malaysia has provided RM100,000.
The main venue for the festival is Think City, with additional events taking place at various locations around George Town, including Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion, St Xavier’s Institution, China House, Beach Street and China Street Ghaut.
The festival will showcase prominent Malaysian writers, such as Tan Twan Eng, a Man Asian Literary Prize and Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction winner, Shih-Li Kow, an award-winning author on Malaysian contemporary Malaysian fiction; Aishah Zainal, a winner of Prix du Premier Roman Etranger, Dublin Literary Award 2024 longlist; Freeman Book Award winner Hanna Alkaf; and poets Hafiz Hamzah and Qurratul Ain.
Ooi said international literary figures, such as Flemish author Jeroen Olyslaegers, Governor General’s award-nominated author Sheung-King from Canada and award-winning Taiwanese novelist Kevin Chen, will also grace the event.
Greatech Technology chief finance officer Koay Lin Lin said the company was proud to contribute to GTLF.
“We hope the event runs smoothly and helps promote Penang’s literary heritage,” she said.
Also present during the press conference were HSBC chief of staff Teh Shell Pin, and Penang Institute’s communication strategist Fazil Irwan Som.
Story and pix by Edmund Lee