At the end of November, the George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) is set to return for its 14th iteration. Scheduled to run from 29 November to 1 December, GTLF 2024 will feature a central theme: Word on the Street.
Although the official schedule is being kept under wraps until later in the month, organisers have revealed there will be various panel discussions, book readings, book launches and signings, exhibitions, film screenings and workshops included in the events.
A total of 30 respected international writers from seven countries have already confirmed their participation in the festival. This includes Flemish author Jeroen Olyslaegers, Governor General’s Award-nominated Canadian writer Sheung-King, and Taiwanese novelist Kevin Chen.
A number of notable Malaysian writers have also been confirmed, including novelist Tan Twan Eng, winner of the Man Asian Literary Prize and the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction; Dublin Literary Award 2024 longlisted author, Aishah Zainal; Shih-Li Kow, Prix du Premier Roman Etranger winner; winner of the Freeman Book Award, Hanna Alkaf; and acclaimed poets Hafiz Hamzah and Qurratul Ain.
Events under the GTLF 2024 banner will be held in various iconic and historic locations around George Town, including Bangunan UAB (Think City), Bangunan Wawasan, the E&O Hotel, Khoo Kongsi, St. Xavier’s Institution, The Courtyard, and various other notable destinations throughout the city.
As in previous iterations of GTLF, Gerakbudaya Bookshop Penang will be the festival’s official bookstore, providing festivalgoers, travellers and members of the public with a wide and eclectic series of titles by writers and speakers featured at the event. Visitors can visit them at a special pop-up store in Bangunan UAB, which will be operational for the duration of the festival.
GTLF 2024 is being organised by the Penang Institute. Additional programming partners for the event include Hin Bus Depot and Penang Hidden Gems. The majority of GTLF programmes will remain free and open to the public.
