Over four days in November the George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) will return to Penang for the first time since the pandemic lockdowns. GTLF is Malaysia’s largest international literary festival and is one of the best-recognised platforms for free speech in Malaysia.
We’re proud to continue supporting this innovative festival from 24 to 27 November we will be sharing key moments from the festival on our social media channels.
About GTLF
GTLF is Malaysia’s largest international literary festival. 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. This year’s theme is ‘Taming the Wild’, exploring the complex relationship between Wilderness and Human Nature.
British Council supported works at GTLF
- Borneo Bengkel’s sem/bunyi
Exhibition: 23-27 November, 12 - 7pm | Tour and sharing session: 26 November, 11am - 12pm | Spoken word performance: 27 November, 7pm onwards at Hin Bus Depot Creative platform Borneo Bengkel will present an interactive exhibition sem/bunyi sharing selected works from Borneo Bengkel's 2020/2021 projects Soundbank and Lingua Franca produced by collaborators from across Borneo and the United Kingdom. The exhibition will explore indigenous languages, folk music, and sounds from the world around them. (*Audience members are advised to bring earphones for the exhibition)
- The future of festivals
25 November, 2pm at Bangunan UAB - Multipurpose Hall (1st Floor)
A roundtable discussion that will examine ‘the future of festivals' focusing on festivals' form, content and purpose, its evolution and how festivals can continue to engage with communities throughout Malaysia and remain relevant for years to come. Moderated by Adam Pushkin, the panel includes Sharaad Kuttan, Nadira Ilana, Daniel Lim and Hardesh Singh.
- New technology and creativity with The Poetry Society and UNBOXED
26 November, 7.30pm at Bangunan UAB - Multipurpose Hall (1st Floor)
A sharing session of About Us, one of ten innovative projects commissioned by UK festival, UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK. Through arts and technology, About Us explores the infinite ways we are connected to the universe, the natural world and one another. The session will feature a film accompanied by a talk on how the show was put together, focusing on the role of poetry in the creative process, and the project's community and schools engagement programme.
- Yee I-Lann in conversation
27 November, 12pm at Digital Penang - Event Room
One of Malaysia’s leading figures in the visual arts, Yee I-Lann, will present a deep dive into her British Council supported residency ‘Resonations’ at the British Library, the sharing session will be focused on her work with the Library’s extensive sound archive collections and the connection to Malaysia.