George Town Lit Fest 2020 shifts online in November, with more than 60 writers

George Town Literary Festival's theme for 2020, "Through The Looking Glass", looks at the role of literature and art in a time of crisis. Photo: Filepic

The George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) has announced it will pressing on with its 2020 edition next month. The fest will run from Nov 26-29.

This year's theme is Through The Looking Glass, which looks at the role of literature and art in a time of crisis.

The festival programme will be presented mostly online, with a series of podcasts and videos both in English and Bahasa Malaysia. The online content will feature conversations, discussions, readings and radio drama.

This year’s line-up features over 60 writers and arts practitioners, including award-winning novelist Fatimah Busu, renowned actress Sharifah Amani and Penang-based author Fahmi Mustaffa.

Also featured are young Malaysians who have had their works recognised internationally this year. They include Joshua Kam (winner Epigram Books Fiction Prize 2020), graphic novelist Erica Eng (Eisner award - Best Webcomic), and Kulleh Grasi (shortlisted for the National Translation Award in Poetry 2020 in the US).

The international participants are legendary Filipino writer F. Sionil Jose, 2020 SEA Write Award winner Leila Chudori, and distinguished poet/ translator Pierre Joris, among others.

“We will also pay tribute to the late K.S. Maniam, one of Malaysia’s most important writers, with a special reading of his work by celebrated theatre practitioners Jo Kukathas and Anne James,” says Pauline Fan, co-curator of GTLF.

She adds that if the situation permits, the festival might consider organising several physical events in George Town in November, such as writing and translation workshops, and poetry readings.

More info here.