The George Town Literary Festival 2024 (GTLF) received a major boost from Greatech Technology and HSBC Malaysia.
While Greatech Technology contributed RM600,000, HSBC Malaysia donated RM100,000 towards the worthy cause.
The 14th edition of the GTLF will be held from November 29 to December 1, 2024 with the theme “Word on the Street”.
Present at a handing over ceremony was Dr Ooi Kee Beng, Executive Director Penang Institute along with Ms Koay Lin Lin, CFO of Greatech Technology while HSBC Malaysia was represented by Ms Teh Shell Pin, Chief of Staff of HSBC.
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.
Penang Institute as owner and new organiser of the festival.
The festival is proud to soon be hosting prominent Malaysian writers such as Malaysian novelist, the Man Asian Literary Prize and Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction winner Tan Twan Eng, Shih-Li Kow, winner of Prix du Premier Roman Etranger, Dublin Literary Award 2024 longlist Aishah Zainal, Freeman Book Award Winner Hanna Alkaf, Malaysian poets Hafiz Hamzah and Qurratul Ain.
Additionally, GTLF2024 will welcome celebrated international figures such as Flemish author Jeroen Olyslaegers, Governor General’s Award-nominated author Sheung-King from Canada, and award-winning Taiwanese novelist Kevin Chen.
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.
Thus far, the line-up includes 30 writers from seven countries. GTLF2024 will be offering an engaging programme comprising panel discussions, readings, book launches, exhibitions, and film screenings, and workshops. Detailed programme information will be released as the festival draws nearer.
Local reader magnet, Gerakbudaya Bookshop Penang, returns as the festival’s official bookstore. It will offer a wide-ranging collection of titles by GTLF2024’s line-up of writers and speakers at their pop-up store in Bangunan UAB from November 29 to December 1.
Meanwhile, GTLF2024 expresses its sincere gratitude to the Embassy of Belgium in Malaysia, the Embassy of France in Malaysia, Embassy of Ireland in Malaysia, the Canada High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, the Taipei Economic Cultural Office in Malaysia (TECO), Think City, Victoria Garden Hotel, Royale Chulan Penang, Wawasan Open University, MABECS Malaysia, St. Xavier’s Institution and other cultural organisations and foreign embassies for their unwavering support and commitment to GTLF’s vision. Programming partners for this edition include Hin Bus Depot and Penang Hidden Gems.
Most GTLF programmes remain free for the public.