George Town Literary Festival 2024 returns end November

 

The 14th edition of the George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) returns from November 29 to December 1, and will feature the theme, Word on the Street.

This theme suggests the stories, voices and language uses that shape George Town, and highlights the importance of literature in expressing urban experiences and the power of language in moulding society.

GTLF 2024 promises an engaging line-up of events, including panel discussions, readings, book launches, exhibitions, film screenings, and workshops. Full programme details will be released closer to the festival date.

The festival will feature prominent Malaysian writers, such as novelist Tan Twan Eng, winner of the Man Asian Literary Prize and the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction; Shih-Li Kow, Prix du Premier Roman Etranger winner; Dublin Literary Award 2024 longlisted author Aishah Zainal; Freeman Book Award winner Hanna Alkaf; as well as poets Hafiz Hamzah and Qurratul Ain.

Internationally acclaimed authors will also be part of the GTLF 2024 line-up, including Flemish author Jeroen Olyslaegers, Governor General’s Award-nominated Canadian writer Sheung-King, and Taiwanese novelist Kevin Chen.

In total, there are presently 30 writers from seven countries participating in this year’s edition.

The festival’s principal venues for this year will be Bangunan UAB (Think City), Bangunan Wawasan, the E&O Hotel, Khoo Kongsi, St. Xavier’s Institution, The Courtyard, and several other locations across George Town.

Local reader magnet, Gerakbudaya Bookshop Penang, returns as the festival’s official bookstore. It will offer a wide-ranging collection of titles by GTLF 2024’s line-up of writers and speakers at their pop-up store in Bangunan UAB from November 29 to December 1.

Programming partners for this event include Hin Bus Depot and Penang Hidden Gems, while Penang Institute serves as the festival’s owner and new organiser.

Most GTLF programmes will remain free and open to the public.

-TTG Asia.