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:

29 November

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Conversation: How does food shape national identity? A look at the Taiwan railway gourmet tour in Taiwan Travelogue

Location

Wawasan Hall

The dining table serves as a lens through which we understand the food culture. Taiwanese people’s dining table is a microcosm of the times. It reveals the ethnicity, classes, and occupations of those who sit at it, and also provides a profile of the natural environment and cultural landscape of a place. Yang’s talk will centre around the 1930s’ food depicted in her novel “Taiwan Travelogue”, starting from jute soup, braised minced pork, and spring roll, and extending to today’s Pearl Tea, Bubble Tea, and traditional iced tea.

Speakers: Yang Shuang-zi
Moderator/Host: Iylia De Silva