Written by Sukhbir Cheema
Top 10 Must-See Events at the George Town Literary Festival 2023
This article was commissioned by George Town Literary Festival (GTLF). If you require commission support to promote your arts & culture events in an engaging, fun, and insightful way to our 15,000 monthly readers, you can get in touch with us here!
The George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) is back with more exciting sessions for writers, poets, and literary lovers!
Funded by the Penang state government, GTLF is Malaysia’s largest international literary festival celebrating world literature, translations, and literary arts. It’s the place to be if you’re a writer, publisher, literary agent, or bookworm. Best part? It’s free!
The 13th edition of GTLF will take place from 23 to 26 November 2023 at Georgetown, Penang and it features 33 tantalizing sessions.
We’ve picked 10 sessions that you should add to your GTLF must-attend list. For your easy reference, all sessions are listed in chronological order. Remember to bookmark this handy list so that you can refer to it during the duration of the festival!
10 sessions you should not miss at GTLF 2023
1. Yang Samar dan Kabur: Meniti “Terra Incognita”
Date & Time: 24 November, 2023 | 10 – 11 a.m.
Venue: Angier & Borden, The Prestige.
Speakers: Qurratul Ain, Nukila Amal & Faisal Tehrani.
Moderator: Azrin Fauzi.
Language: Malay.
Who is this session for: Writers, authors, and anyone interested in the creative process of storytelling.
This year’s GTLF theme is “Terra Incognita,” which translates to “unknown territory” or “unmapped regions,” and it’s an apt reflection of a writer’s journey into the enigmatic realms of storytelling.
This session, conducted in Malay, discusses the uncertainties that writers face during their creative process and the expertise required to navigate the ever-changing landscape of literature.
‘Yang Samar dan Kabur: Meniti “Terra Incognita” promises to be a fascinating odyssey for those curious about the art of storytelling and the unexplored corners of a writer’s craft.
2. The Labyrinth of Memory: Veeraporn Nitiprapha and Kong Rithdee
Date & Time: 24 November, 2023 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Venue: Loft29, Main Hall.
Speakers: Veeraporn Nitiprapha & Kong Rithdee.
Moderator: Duong Manh Hung.
Language: English.
Who is this session for: Literature enthusiasts, fans of Veeraporn Nitiprapha’s work, those interested in contemporary Thai folklore, and anyone curious about the intricate relationship between history, personal memory, and the influence of politics and culture on literature.
Veeraporn Nitiprapha, the acclaimed author known for bestsellers that intricately weave local history, family sagas, and contemporary Thai folklore, will be in conversation with Kong Rithdee, the accomplished translator responsible for bringing Veeraporn’s literary works to a broader readership.
Together, they will unravel the fascinating interplay between history and personal memory, offering a glimpse into the profound influence of politics and Thai soap operas in Veeraporn’s imaginative world.
This session serves as the best opportunity to delve deep into the minds of these literary geniuses as they peel back the layers of storytelling, offering you a unique perspective on the power of words and the art of memory.
3. Crime and Punishment: From Nordic Noir to Malaysian Murder Mystery
Date & Time: 24 November, 2023 | 2 – 3 p.m.
Venue: Loft29, Main Hall.
Speakers: Johan Theorin, Nat Sario & Rueben Dass.
Moderator: Lee Chwi Lynn.
Language: English.
Who is this session for: Thrill-seekers, mystery enthusiasts, and budding crime fiction writers.
Crime fiction and mystery novels have an uncanny ability to stir our imagination and lure us into uncharted territories of fear and fascination.
Writers Johan Theorin, Nat Sario, and Rueben Dass will plunge headfirst into the enigmatic depths of human nature and the shadowy corners of the human psyche. They will share with you how the crime fiction genre unveiled profound insights into the human condition.
Also, if you’re working on a crime fiction short story or novel, you’ll most likely come out of the session with some ideas to transform your own literary work into an electrifying, heart-pounding story.
4. Budaya Popular, Cerita Kita
Date & Time: 24 November, 2023 | 2.30 – 3.30 p.m.
Venue: Black Kettle.
Speakers: Sue Emoqwin & Fazleena Hishamuddin.
Moderator: Adriana Nordin Manan.
Language: Malay.
Who is this session for: Poets, writers, musicians, and those keen on exploring and understanding the role of popular culture in shaping a nation’s identity.
You’d be surprised how much popular culture can shape a nation’s narrative.
If you’re fascinated by the role of historical events, politics, media, and popular culture in shaping a nation’s narrative and identity, ‘Budaya Popular, Cerita Kita’ is the perfect session for you.
Writer, playwright, translator and researcher Adriana Nordin Manan will host writers Sue Emoqwin and Fazleena Hishamuddin and together all three will explore the vibrant and dynamic stories that popular culture weaves into the rich fabric of Malaysia’s history.
5. Speed Pitching with SCLA #1
Date & Time: 24 November, 2023 | 2.30 – 3.30 p.m. & 25 November, 2023 | 10 – 11 a.m.
Venue: Angier & Borden, The Prestige.
Hosts: Devina Sivagurunathan & Rosalind Chua.
Language: English.
Who is this session for: Writers who are looking to get published.
If you have an idea for a novel or an anthology of short stories, Sivagurunathan & Chua Literary Agency is currently accepting fiction and non-fiction submissions from writers in both the English or Malay language.
Taking cue from speed dating, you’ll be given only five minutes to pitch to the two seasoned literary agents why you, yes you, should have thousands of people reading your book.
Read through the criteria on SCLA’s website here so that you’re better prepared to bring your best literary game to the table. This session takes place on both 24 and 25 November, 2023.
6. Intimacy & Violence: Edouard Louis and Tash Aw
Date & Time: 25 November, 2023 | 12 – 1 p.m.
Venue: Loft29, Main Hall.
Speakers: Edouard Louis & Tash Aw.
Moderator: Lee Chwi Lynn.
Language: English.
Who is this session for: Literature enthusiasts, readers who appreciate thought-provoking and unflinching explorations of societal issues, and those interested in the art of storytelling.
French writer Edouard Louis is a sensation in his home country for fearlessly exploring class struggle, sexuality, and race in his five novels. He will be joining renowned Malaysian-born author Tash Aw to shed light on their literary journeys, where they delve into themes of intimacy and violence, alienation and cultural displacement, transformation and escape.
Both writers are skilful in channelling their personal experiences as a lens to tackle uncomfortable truths in contemporary society. This session promises to ignite your intellect and leave you with a profound understanding of the power of literature to address the most pressing issues of our time.
7. Syarahan GTLF: Dr. Muhamad Takiyuddin Ismail, Jejak-Jejak yang Hilang: Kisah Rock Malaysia
Date & Time: 26 November, 2023 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Venue: Angier & Borden, The Prestige.
Facilitator: Abdul Rahman Shah.
Language: Malay.
Who is this session for: Music and history enthusiasts, historians.
If you’re someone who appreciates cultural preservation and storytelling, you might find this lecture by Dr. Muhamad Takiyuddin Ismail insightful.
The lecture focuses on preserving the memories and stories of Malaysia’s rock music scene from a specific era in the 20th century.
You’ll experience a unique opportunity to dive into the past and ensure that the rich heritage of Malaysian rock continues to be celebrated and remembered.
8. 年轻的马华文学 A “Youthful” Mahua Literature
Date & Time: 26 November, 2023 | 1 – 2 p.m.
Venue: Black Kettle.
Speakers: Goaty Wong, Leong Xin Yuan & Ong Jing Heng.
Moderator: Wong Siew Jye.
Language: Mandarin.
Who is this session for: Literature enthusiasts, writers, and Mahua literary lovers.
According to award-winning Mahua writer, Ho Sok Fong, “Mahua literature is one of Malaysia’s most unique cultural assets, deeply rooted in local customs and social conditions”.
While Sok Fong is not part of the panel, you’ll get to hear how three emerging Mahua writers from Malaysia share how their literary works were inspired and shaped by their multi-ethnic, multi-lingual surroundings.
Goaty Wong, Leong Xin Yuan, and Ong Jing Heng are among the diverse voices that represent the future of Malaysian literature. The session will serve as a unique opportunity for literary lovers to get to know Mahua intimately.
9. Experiments With Truth: A Conversation with Geoff Dyer
Date & Time: 26 November, 2023 | 2 – 3 p.m.
Venue: Loft29, Main Hall.
Speaker: Geoff Dyer.
Moderator: Eddin Khoo.
Language: English.
Who is this session for: Literature enthusiasts, writers, and aspiring writers.
Award-winning English author and writer Geoff Dyer is renowned for his genre-defying works such as But Beautiful: A Book About Jazz, Out of Sheer Rage, Yoga For People Who Can’t Be Bothered To Do It, and The Ongoing Moment.
Much of Dyer’s works stem from his experiments with ‘truth’, earning him the reputation of a “master of the space between”.
This session, moderated by Eddin Khoo, will explore Dyer’s struggles with procrastination, distraction and his thoughtful take on subject, form, and style, and the writer’s consciousness.
10. Realm of Alternate Reality with Yuvan Chandrasekhar
Date & Time: 26 November, 2023 | 4 – 5 p.m.
Venue: Loft29, Main Hall.
Speaker: Yuvan Chandrasekhar.
Host: M.Navin.
Language: Tamil.
Who is this session for: Readers and literature enthusiasts who have an interest in the unique and imaginative realm of alternate realities.
Yuvan Chandrasekhar is huge, especially in the Tamil literary scene. Hailing from Tamil Nadu, India, the fiction writer has a flair for the unconventional, immersing readers in the enigmatic world of alternate realities.
Yuvan is set to unravel the intricacies of his fictional universes, inviting you to explore the uncharted territories of parallel dimensions and multifaceted characters through this captivating one-on-one conversation with Malaysian Tamil fiction writer, M. Navin.
What sets this session apart is that Yuvan’s exploration of alternate realities is a rarity in Tamil literature, making it a unique and exciting opportunity for those who appreciate fresh, uncharted literary landscapes. You’d also likely get a glimpse into Yuvan’s creative process behind crafting alternate realities.
The George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) will take place from 23 to 26 November 2023 at Georgetown, Penang and it features 33 tantalizing sessions. You can view the festival programme here.
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All images were supplied by George Town Literary Festival.
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