George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) is Malaysia’s largest international literary festival, held annually in the UNESCO World Heritage site of George Town, Penang. GTLF is one of the best-recognised platforms for free speech in Malaysia with a specific focus on world literature. The festival believes in the power of expression and is committed to being one of the most urgent, vital and provocative literary festivals in the region. Each year, selected local and international writers, poets and performers engage in topics and themes that are crucial to the present state of the world.

Objectives

• Encourages exchanges of ideas between local and international writers;
• Exposes Malaysians to world literature, and Malaysian literature to the world;
• Brings global recognition to Penang’s literary history and living publication legacy;
• Catalyses multi-disciplinary interactions through lectures, discussions, and workshops;
• Reinforces the cultural legacy of Penang alongside its economic prowess and its political diversity.