Malaysia’s leading celebration of stories returns for its 15th edition! This year’s George Town Literary Festival explores Urban Myths and Memories through panels, readings, performances, and workshops featuring 37 writers and artists from 13 countries.

George Town Literary Festival 2025 

Malaysia’s leading celebration of stories returns for its 15th edition! This year’s George Town Literary Festival explores Urban Myths and Memories through panels, readings, performances, and workshops featuring 37 writers and artists from 13 countries.

Join us in Penang’s heritage heart for three days of conversation, creativity, and discovery. Admission is free with a Festival Pass, except for workshops and select events.

Explore the full programme breakdown on the official George Town Literary Festival website.

Programme at a glance:

28 November

11:30 am - 12:15 pm

Book launch: Pritchard’s of Penang: Enterprise, Secession, and Murder

Location

Wawasan Reading Room

Pritchard & Co. Ltd. (1888–1959) is a name which has almost faded from memory in Malaysia. The first widely diversified department store in northern Malaya, with a main store in Penang and branches in Ipoh, Butterworth, and Sungai Petani, Pritchard’s became a key player in the growth of retailing during the best and worst of times of British colonial Malaya.

Featuring some 300 images, many taken inside the stores, the book preserves a rare record of this era. Marcus Langdon will discuss the trials and tribulations of the business, the family, and the process of gathering the information for this, his latest book. Having produced 11 books and numerous articles on Penang, its history runs in his blood!

Speakers: Marcus Langdon
Moderator/Host: Keith Hockton