The George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) 2025 closed its 15th edition on 8th December, drawing over 3,000 participants to Penang’s heritage capital.
The festival attracted audiences from more than 10 countries. Among Malaysian attendees, 51.6% came from outside Penang. The event brought together readers and writers across generations, from those in their 20s to enthusiasts in their 70s and 80s.
This year’s theme, “Urban Myths and Memories”, explored the city’s layered histories through stories, memory and imagination.
Festival Director Dato’ Dr. Ooi Kee Beng said, “We live in a world of myths and memories—in that grey area where we choose facts and fiction to make sense of our lives. Literature thrives in that space, and through it, readers can explore their past, reflect on their present, and imagine the future.”
This marks the second year GTLF has been fully curated by Penang Institute, one of the organisation’s flagship annual events.
GTLF 2025 featured 23 panel discussions, 22 book launches, four workshops, history walking trails, film screenings and a music heritage exhibition curated by Paul Augustin. Attendees also experienced Ghost Bird, a spoken word performance by Omar Musa and Mariel Roberts Musa, and Front, a participatory artwork by Danish artist Christian Falsnaes presented with In Situ Malaysia.
The festival hosted 36 writers and artists from 12 countries. International guests included Madeleine Thien from Canada, Lize Spit from Belgium, Wilfriend N’Sonde from France, Reggie Baay from the Netherlands, Helen Mort from the UK, Omar Musa from Borneo/Australia, and Ahmed Masoud from Palestine/UK. Malaysian writer Bernice Chauly was among the local voices featured.
The inaugural Penang Monthly Short Story Prize went to Nur Syuhada binti Mohd Surahbil for “The Echo That Splits Two Worlds”, which blends fantasy with Penang heritage. She received RM800 and will see her work published in Penang Monthly’s December issue.
Runners-up Tan Shu Min (“The Gold That Fed Us”) and Joshua Lim (“Fishing for Durians”) will have their stories featured on the Penang Monthly website.
The festival received backing from returning sponsors Greatech Technology and HSBC Malaysia, alongside partners including the Embassy of Belgium, TECO Malaysia, British Council Malaysia, Tim Promosi Sastra Indonesia, Aliran and the Hashim Sani Centre for Palestine Studies.
Events took place across five heritage venues in George Town: Bangunan UAB, Bangunan Wawasan, Hikayat, Cheah Kongsi and The Canteen@ChinaHouse. Most programmes were free to attend, with tickets required only for select workshops and special events.
Julia Tan, GTLF Festival Manager, said, “Our 15th edition honours the people who have built and sustained this festival. We are proud to share an edition that is intimate, inclusive, and deeply connected to George Town and its community.”
GTLF was established in 2011 and remains Malaysia’s leading international literary festival. It is the only festival in Southeast Asia to have won the London Book Fair International Excellence Award. Since 2024, the festival has been fully curated and organised by Penang Institute.
