MORE than 50 writers, poets and thinkers from 20 countries and territories will come to Penang for this year’s George Town Literary Festival (GTLF), under the theme “Cosmopolises” that will explore how cities shape identities, cultures and shared experiences.
The festival, organised by Penang Institute, will take place from Nov 27 to 29 at Wisma Yeap Chor Ee and Bangunan UAB.
“The theme invites audiences to reflect on cities as places where people from different backgrounds live together, exchange ideas and build shared histories,” said festival director Datuk Dr Ooi Kee Beng said.
“At a time when identities are increasingly policed and borders harden, this theme invites audiences to reflect on how people live together, navigate differences, and share experiences in cities around the world,” he said at the GTLF 2026 press conference held at the Penang Institute’s conference hall in George Town.
Ooi said Penang, although relatively small, had long been a unique cosmopolitan city because of its diversity.
“Penang may be a minor cosmopolis, one of the smallest perhaps, but we are unique in our diversity,” he said.
This year’s line-up includes 16 Malaysian speakers alongside 37 international participants including from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Palestine, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.
Among the Malaysian participants are National Laureate and Emeritus Professor Dr Muhammad Salleh, novelist Tan Twan Eng, Hanna Alkaf, Amir Muhammad, Cecil Rajendra, Bernice Chauly and Samantha Chong.
International participants include Singapore’s Jeremy Tiang and Kirsten Han, English novelist Alice Jolly, Palestinian poet Asmaa Azaizeh, Belgian writer Gaea Schoeters, Dutch scholar and puppetry enthusiast Robin Ruizendaal, Hong Kong author Xu Xi, Taiwan’s Kuo Chiang-Sheng and Lo Sirong, Myanmar writer Ma Thida and Mekong Review editor Minh Bui Jones.
The festival will retain its multi-format programme of panel discussions, literary readings, book launches, workshops, performances and fringe events.
One of the highlights is the opening ceremony programme, “Letters of the Penang Diaspora”, featuring readings of personal letters written by Penangites who studied, worked or lived overseas.
The public has been invited to submit letters sent home by Penangites abroad, with selected entries to be featured during the opening ceremony.
Another key initiative is “Languages I Live In: Student Short Films & Reflective Essays”, which encourages students to explore language, identity and their lived experiences through creative writing and short films.
Selected works will be showcased in a special exhibition during the festival, alongside a student reading session.
Participating schools include St Xavier’s Institution, SMJ(K) Chung Ling, SMKA Al-Mashoor (Lelaki) and Prince of Wales Island International School.
Ooi also said GTLF would present its inaugural Life Achievement Prize in Literature, although the recipient has yet to be announced.
The winner of the Penang Monthly Short Story Prize 2026 will also be announced during the festival.
He said the continued support from sponsors and partners had enabled the festival to remain largely free and accessible to the public while creating opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange.
GTLF festival manager Julia Tan said most programmes would be free. However, participants are encouraged to register in advance.
