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George Town Literary Festival 2026 reveals programme and 53-name international line-up

The George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) 2026 unveiled its theme, venues, and 53-participant international line-up at a press conference on 5 August 2026, organisers said.

Source: Penang Institute · August 12, 2026 at 7:56 PM · AI-assisted report

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George Town Literary Festival 2026 reveals programme and 53-name international line-up
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / CC BY-SA 3.0
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PENANG, 13 AUGUST 2026 —

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GEORGE TOWN LITERARY FESTIVAL 2026 UNVEILS INTERNATIONAL LINE-UP, THEME AND VENUES

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KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Aug 2026 — The George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) 2026 officially revealed its theme, venues and a 53-name international line-up at a press conference on 5 August 2026, organisers said.

Organised by Penang Institute, GTLF 2026 will run from 27 to 29 November 2026 under the theme “Cosmopolises,” positioning itself as a leading regional platform for literary, cultural and intellectual exchange. The festival will be held across two main venues in George Town: Wisma Yeap Chor Ee, in partnership with Digital Penang, and Bangunan U.A.B., in collaboration with Think City. Most programmes will remain free and open to the public, with selected workshops and special events subject to fees.

Festival Director Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng described “Cosmopolises” as an invitation to reflect on cities as shared spaces where diverse communities, histories and cultures intersect. The programme explores how urban life is shaped by migration, adaptation and coexistence, encouraging audiences to consider how people live together across differences.

The 2026 edition features 53 writers, poets, speakers, moderators and contributors from 20 countries and territories, including established and emerging voices from Malaysia and abroad. The programme includes panel discussions, literary conversations, readings, book launches, workshops, student programmes, performances and fringe events.

Key highlights include the opening ceremony, “Letters of the Penang Diaspora,” which will present readings of personal letters from Penangites who have studied, worked or lived overseas. The initiative explores themes of migration, memory, identity and belonging, celebrating Penang’s global connections. Another programme, “Languages I Live In: Student Short Films & Reflective Essays,” invites students to explore language, identity and lived experiences through creative writing and visual storytelling, with selected works to be showcased during the festival.

GTLF 2026 continues to receive strong support from sponsors and partners. Greatech Technology returns as Platinum Sponsor, while HSBC Malaysia remains a Gold Sponsor. The festival is also supported by diplomatic missions, cultural organisations, educational institutions, media partners and community groups, reinforcing its role in fostering international dialogue and cultural exchange.

Organisers highlighted efforts to expand collaborative partnerships, strengthen public engagement and further establish George Town as a key meeting place for literary and cultural conversations in the region. Additional programme announcements, including further speakers and the full festival schedule, will be released in the lead-up to GTLF 2026.

Related: Penang

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