GEORGE TOWN LITERARY FESTIVAL
OPENING ADDRESS BY YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW
THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
GEORGE TOWN LITERARY FESTIVAL
25 NOVEMBER 2022
MAJESTIC THEATRE, GEORGE TOWN
YB Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang State Executive Councilor for Tourism and Creative Economy
Mr Ashwin Gunasekeran, Chief Executive Officer, Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PICEB)
Her Excellency Hilary Reilly, Ambassador of Ireland to Malaysia
His Excellency Wayne Robson, High Commissioner of Canada to Malaysia
Ms. Pauline Fan, George Town Literary Festival Director
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
Selamat Datang and a warm welcome to Penang.
In the presence of distinguished guests, writers, publishers and members of the public who have travelled from all over the world in support of our much-loved George Town Literary Festival, it gives me great pleasure to inaugurate GTLF’s 12th edition this evening. For the benefit of our visiting friends, this evening’s venue, the Majestic Theatre was also the first cinema in Penang to screen Chinese talkies leading up to the Second World War.
Having debuted in 2011, GTLF is Penang's one-of-a-kind literary festival and Malaysia's biggest literary festival. Over the years, this festival has entrenched itself as a platform for writers, poets, publishers, readers, and book enthusiasts to present their works, exchange ideas, and explore literary works. Under the leadership of Festival Director Ms Pauline Fan and with the backing of the Penang State Government, GTLF has welcomed more than 300 writers. In this respect, I am pleased to note that there are also over 75 participants from 18 nations joining GTLF2022.
Staying true to GTLF’s tradition of bringing us on mind-opening and awe-inspiring journeys across various themes, I was informed that this year’s physical return from the terrains of Covid landscape offers everyone a chance to learn more about wilderness and human nature through the lens of the theme "Taming the Wild”. We look at the ways in which Wilderness has shaped the creative power of our imagination. We also consider the dark side of human nature — our propensity for violence, brute power, war, and the destruction of the natural world.
Ladies & gentlemen,
I was also made to understand that GTLF2022 serves as an unofficial mini-reunion for the winners and writers who have been shortlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize. We have amongst us, Malaysian National Laureate Zurinah Hassan, the first prize winner of the Huazong Literary Award, Fang Lu, B. Jeyamohan, a noted Tamil writer as well as noted screenwriter in the South Indian movie industry; and Malaysian-born Daryl Kho who recently received the 2022 Singapore Book Award for Best Young Persons Title and many more. It is truly wonderful to see so many literary luminaries bringing their own style and sparkle to what must be GTLF’s most exciting edition to date.
While Penang will always be rooted in her historical links and gastronomic offerings, it is my utmost wish that Penang becomes a cosmopolitan powerhouse that continues to stimulate public discussions and discourses in matters that affect us, one way or the other. Be rest assured that the Penang state government will continue to back the arts and culture industry. With GTLF, the state government has shown our commitment to not only enriching the performing arts but literary arts as well.
I would like to thank and congratulate Ms. Pauline Fan and the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau for organising this outstanding event. Your team’s collective commitment and hard work have placed Penang on the global map and further expanded GTLF to become one of Malaysia's most prestigious cultural and literary events.
Quoting a well-known advice that one must do as the Romans do when in Rome, it is given that visitors and friends must seize your time in Penang to traverse the state’s expansive culinary map and enjoy our many other attractions. I wish all of you a most rewarding and fulfilling time at the George Town Literary Festival, and we look forward to welcoming your return for future GTLF editions.
Thank you and stay safe.