The George Town Literary Festival
(GTLF), organised by the Penang Institute, unveiled programme highlights for its 2026
edition, alongside the majority of its participating writers and speakers for the Festival,
themed “Cosmopolises” this year.

GTLF 2026 will take place from 27 to 29 November in George Town, Penang, continuing
its role as a leading platform for literary and cultural exchange in Malaysia and the
region.

The Festival remains largely free and open to the public, apart from selected workshops
and programmes.

Confirmed GTLF venues

GTLF 2026 will be held at two main venues in George Town: Wisma Yeap Chor Ee, in
collaboration with Digital Penang, and Bangunan U.A.B., in collaboration with Think
City.

A festival shaped by cities and shared worlds

The notion of “Cosmopolises” invites audiences to think of cities not only as lived and
flowing spaces for human encounters, exchanges, and coexistence. These spaces
differ greatly in their histories, cultural constitutions, and socio-economic realities.
Within them, difference is normal, strangers learn to dwell together, and histories
overlap rather than replace one another. GTLF 2026 explores the cultural wealth of such
shared worlds.

Festival Director Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng said the theme “Cosmopolises” reflects the
vibrancy and complexity of city life, shaped by contact, adaptation, and exchange.

“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.”

GTLF 2026 reveals line-up of writers, speakers, and thinkers

GTLF is pleased to announce its line-up of participating writers, poets, speakers,
moderators, and contributors for its 2026 edition, bringing together 53 voices from
Malaysia and beyond, representing 20 countries and territories. GTLF 2026 features
a diverse range of perspectives, including voices from Australia, Belgium, Canada,
Myanmar, the Netherlands, Palestine, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom,
Vietnam, and more.

The line-up includes Alice Jolly, Amelie Skoda, Amir Muhammad, Ananya Jahanara
Kabir, Anitha Devi Pillai, Asmaa Azaizeh, Bernice Chauly, Cecil Rajendra, Christopher
Chu, Evren Sharma, Gaea Schoeters, Hanna Alkaf, Janet Tay, Jeremy Tiang, Josh
Stenberg, Kathrina Mohd Daud, Kirsten Han, Kuo Chiang-Sheng, Lo Sirong, Maggie Hoi,
Malachi Edwin Vethamani, Martin Vengadesan, Maznah Mohamad, Melanie Katz, Minh
Bui Jones, Muhammad Haji Salleh, Normawar Marzuki, Ratih Kumala, Robin Ruizendaal,
Sam Sussman, Samantha Chong, San Mon Aung, Sara Kelly, Somnath Batabyal, Tan
Twan Eng, Tuan Phan, Viji Krishnamoorthy, Wazir Jahan, Wiley Ho, Xu Xi, and Yu-Mei
Balasingamchow.

As the Festival continues to develop, more speakers might be added to the line-up. The
Festival retains its established multi-format structure, featuring panel discussions,
literary readings and book launches, workshops and student programmes, and
performances and fringe events.

Opening ceremony highlight: “Letters of the Penang Diaspora”

GTLF 2026 will open with “Letters of the Penang Diaspora”, a special programme
featuring readings of personal letters written by Penangites who studied, worked, or
lived abroad, exploring themes of migration, memory, and connection across borders
and generations.

The public is invited to submit written letters sent home by Penangites who studied,
worked, or lived abroad, with selected submissions to be featured during the opening
ceremony. Submissions are still open.

GTLF student engagement programme: “Languages I Live In”

GTLF continues its commitment to youth and education through its student engagement
initiative, “Languages I Live In: Student Short Films & Reflective Essays”, providing a

platform for young students to explore language, identity, and lived experiences
through creative expression.

The programme invites students to create short clips and reflective essays that explore
their relationships with language and the cities they inhabit, encouraging them to
express their ideas through visual storytelling and reflective writing.

With the additional support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the
Australian High Commission, selected works from the programme will be featured in a
special exhibition at GTLF 2026, creating a dedicated space for students to share their
stories with Festival audiences. A student reading session will also be held.

Participating schools are St. Xavier’s Institution, SMJK Chung Ling, SMKA Al-Mashoor
(Lelaki), and Prince of Wales Island International School.

The Penang Monthly Short Story Prize 2026

Submissions for this year’s edition of the prize have just closed, and the judging process
is currently underway. The grand prize winner will be announced during the festival.
Writers imagined and speculated upon future possibilities for Penang in their works of
fiction, responding in innovative ways to a challenging prompt.

Sponsors, partners, and collaborative development

GTLF 2026 is made possible through the continued support of its Platinum Sponsor,
Greatech Technology; and Gold Sponsor, HSBC Malaysia; whose commitment
continues to strengthen the Festival’s sustainability.

Dato’ Seri Tan Eng Kee, Co-Founder and CEO of Greatech Technology, said:
“Behind every innovation is an idea, and every idea begins with a dream.
Greatech's journey was shaped by learning, perseverance, and imagination. As
a proud Penang-born company and Platinum Sponsor of the George Town
Literary Festival 2026, we are honoured to support a platform that celebrates
knowledge, creativity, and cultural exchange, inspiring generations to discover
possibilities and pursue dreams of their own.”

The Festival also continues to work with cultural, educational, community, and
diplomatic partners, including the Australian High Commission, the Embassy of the
Kingdom of Belgium, the High Commission of Canada, the Embassy of France, the
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Embassy of Switzerland, the British
Council, the Goethe-Institut Malaysia, Pro Helvetia, and the Taipei Economic and
Cultural Office (TECO) in Malaysia.

GTLF also collaborates with state, media, programme, and individual partners, including
Penang Global Tourism, Mekong Review, Eksentrika, Aida Redza, Penang Hidden Gems,
and Penang Walkabouts, whose support enriches the Festival’s programme and helps
broaden the Festival’s reach, visibility, and public engagement efforts.
The Festival warmly welcomes sponsorship from individuals and organisations that wish
to contribute to the GTLF’s continued growth, with sponsors enjoying benefits such as
guaranteed access to the Festival programmes.

Looking ahead

Further announcements, including additional participants, full programme details, and
the official schedule, will be updated on the Festival website and social media channels
in the coming months. Registration details will be made available closer to the Festival
dates. The Festival continues to collaborate with CloudJoi as its official ticketing partner.
The public is encouraged to follow updates via the official GTLF website and social
media channels.

For partnership and volunteering enquiries, please contact Penang Institute at
gtlf@penanginstitute.org.