Photo Source - George Town Literary Festival

The George Town Literary Festival (GTLF), is Malaysia’s premier international literary event in UNESCO-listed George Town, celebrated for its curated global programming, award-winning impact, and deep roots in Penang’s multicultural heritage.

Date: 8 November 2026
Website: georgetownlitfest.com

The George Town Literary Festival (GTLF), founded in 2011 and organised by Penang Institute, is Malaysia’s premier international literary event held annually in UNESCO-listed George Town. It has grown into one of Southeast Asia’s most respected arenas for literary dialogue and the exchange of ideas. The festival features a curated mix of panels, readings, workshops, and performances that attract acclaimed writers and thinkers from around the world. Its global stature was affirmed in 2018 when it became the first Southeast Asian festival to win the London Book Fair’s Literary Festival Award. Grounded in Penang’s rich multicultural heritage, GTLF remains a vital space where literature fosters imagination, conversation, and connection.