Stimulating Penang’s literary culture through word on the street

THE George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) scheduled to be held from Nov 29 to Dec 1, will carry the theme “Word on the Street” to highlight the uniqueness of Penang’s streets.

Marking its 14th edition, the festival this year will be organised by the Penang Institute, which last managed it in 2015.

The think thank has taken over the running of the festival from the Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB).

Penang Institute executive director Datuk Dr Ooi Kee Beng said this year’s festival would be held at several notable locations.

These include China Street Ghaut, Beach Street, China House, St Xavier’s Institution and Cheong Fatt Tze – The Blue Mansion.

Ooi welcomes support from the private sector and interested parties for sponsorships.

He said this support would ensure a seamless transition from planning to implementing the festival’s diverse programmes.

“Penang Institute believes the literary ecosystem here is robust and passionate enough for a bottom-up curatorial approach.

“Hosting the GTLF allows us to showcase and stimulate Penang’s literary culture, extending beyond George Town,” Ooi told state publisher Buletin Mutiara.

GTLF 2024 will feature 12 panel sessions, five book launches, three reading sessions, two creative huddles, a poetry reading session and more.

Topics will include cross- cultural perspectives on love, the future of citizen journalism and creative non-fiction storytelling.

“We are open to local publishers interested in participating and hope to see more homegrown talents as part of this project,” Ooi said during a press conference at the Penang Institute in Brown Road.

Also present was Swedish honorary consul to Penang Ooi Geok Ling.

Last year’s GTLF attracted over 5,000 attendees with similar or higher numbers anticipated this year.