THE George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) 2026 will bring together 53 speakers from 20 countries and territories, reinforcing Penang’s position as a centre for intellectual and cultural exchange.
Festival director and Penang Institute executive director Datuk Dr Ooi Kee Beng said the line-up includes at least 16 Malaysian voices and 37 international participants from countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Myanmar, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Palestine and Taiwan.
Among the internationally recognised writers and thinkers participating this year are National Laureate Muhammad Haji Salleh, Booker Prize-winning novelist Tan Twan Eng, Alice Jolly, Minh Bui Jones, Robin Ruizendaal and Asmaa Azaizeh.
Speaking at the GTLF 2026 press conference today, Ooi said the festival continues to position itself as a literary festival rather than a book or authors’ festival because literature plays a broader role in shaping culture, civilisation and human understanding.
“Literature is the means through which the human mind learns to make sense of the world and, most importantly, to capture and create meaning in the world.
“As soon as you have a dialogue, literature steps into the world. As you read, write, talk and listen, literature moves like a spirit around you, waiting to be born and formulated into being,” he said.
Ooi said GTLF, which is organised by Penang Institute, aligns with the think tank’s broader mission of research, education and community-building.
“As a think tank, our job is not only research, but also society-building and people-building. We are into education, and to me, education shines most brilliantly through the mastery of language,” he said.
He added that the festival aspires to be recognised as the literary festival of George Town, reflecting the city’s multilingual, multi-ethnic and internationally connected character.
This year’s festival adopts the theme “Cosmopolises”, following “Words on the Street” in 2024 and “Urban Myths and Memories” in 2025.
Explaining the theme, Ooi said every cosmopolitan city possesses its own distinct identity.
“Penang may be a minor cosmopolis, one of the smallest perhaps, but we are unique in our diversity. There is no place like George Town, and yet we are one of many — same-same but different,” he said.
Among the highlights of GTLF 2026 is “Letters of the Penang Diaspora”, a special opening programme featuring readings of personal letters written by Penangites while studying, working or living abroad.
The letters will explore themes of migration, memory and the enduring connections people maintain with home across borders and generations.
The festival will also continue its outreach to young people through the “Languages I Live In: Student Short Films & Reflective Essays” programme, which encourages students to reflect on language, identity and lived experiences.
Participating institutions include Prince of Wales Island International School, St Xavier’s Institution, SMKA Al-Mashoor and SMJK Chung Ling. Selected works will be showcased during the festival with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Australian High Commission.
Ooi also announced that the festival will present a GTLF Life Achievement Prize in Literature this year, with details to be revealed during the event.
The festival is supported by Platinum Sponsor Greatech Technology and Gold Sponsor HSBC Malaysia, alongside various international embassies, cultural organisations, community groups and media partners.
Looking ahead, Ooi expressed confidence that GTLF would continue to strengthen Penang’s cultural standing while promoting dialogue, creativity and critical thinking.
“In a world that is moving in an overly technocratic and bureaucratic direction, we all need to go back to basics — to talk and listen, and to read and write creatively,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee