GEORGE TOWN, PENANG – Taking place over 10 days from 19th to 28th July 2024, the 15th iteration of George Town Festival (GTF) is set to take the iconic festival in a brand new direction. Organised by Kerson Media Global Sdn Bhd, GTF 2024 takes on the theme ‘Here & Now’, and invites all to embark on a journey of reflection and reimagination into George Town’s identity.
“The festival was born from an evolved vision, expanding from the George Town World Heritage Celebrations that commemorate the city’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The festival is a wonderful fusion of both international and local elements, bringing out the best that Penang has to offer. GTF has also extended its artistic celebrations beyond the city to support arts activities in other parts of Penang island and the mainland, ensuring that the arts can flourish across Penang and that the soul of Penang’s arts scene continues to burn bright,” said YB Wong Hon Wai, Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy.
Designed by multidisciplinary design studio Putticoop, GTF 2024’s key visual reflects the festival’s theme of redefining and self-discovery. Putticoop is built upon cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration, between a Kuala Lumpur-based architect and artist and a Hong Kong-based illustrator and brand designer. Utilising iconic and nostalgic shapes such as Penang Bridge and Komtar, a series of five posters offers a striking and refreshing experience that reflects George Town’s colourful diversity and the festival’s new direction.
“We began with the colours of Penang’s flag and expanded from there. We believe that not only should the linework and elements reflect the silhouette of the city, but the colours used should also reflect the scents, sounds and diversity of our culture,” said Putticoop founder Lian Kian Lek.
Building upon the great work done in previous editions, GTF 2024 will not only host international performing arts troupes and art exhibitions, but it will also bring creative activities into the city’s urban fringes, transforming unconventional spaces into performance venues that are uniquely George Town. Historical sites are set to become temporary galleries, performance venues, and art playgrounds, as the festival highlights the city’s architecture by staging intimate site-specific performances and public art, making art accessible in unconventional spaces such as alleyways, restaurants, and parks.
Much of the programme will also feature collaborations across Asia, such as the Isle to Isle series of works, an initiative since 2018 that celebrates the friendship between the islands of Penang and Taiwan. In this sixth edition, look out for a feast of performances, including Double Bill of Jingju Magic by the highly acclaimed GuoGuang Opera Company, and mini puppetry shows by Flying Group Theatre in Close to You Festival. Additionally, Southeast Asian Choreolab, a choreographic laboratory co-organised by MyDance Alliance and TECO, will see 14 emerging choreographers from eight Southeast Asian countries coming to Penang to live, work and explore together, under the guidance of Taiwanese dance artist Ho Hsiao-Mei.
Other performing arts highlights include climate change theatre play Waktu Batu. Rumah yang Terbakar by Southeast Asian theatre company Teater Garasi (Indonesia); Alle Armi by Italian company Hombre Collettivo, which uses toys to highlight the pressing issue of the international arms market; Thailand’s House of Mask & Mime, a humorous and heartwarming performance suitable for audiences of all ages; and the return of Penang-born choreographer Loke Soh Kim with Switchblade Op: A World in the City, marking the 30th anniversary of her award-winning dance performance.
Festival-goers will also be treated to a variety of visual art forms, including painting, sketching, video art, and technological art. Notable installations include Spanish artist Isaac Cordal’s miniature people, supported by the Embassy of Spain in Malaysia, and Kaito Sakuma’s liquid mirror installation, supported by the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur. Under the theme “A Woman’s Body,” GTF will also feature a Women’s Film Screening, featuring international and Malaysian films by female filmmakers, accompanied by panel discussions and Q&A sessions to foster societal conversations and promote understanding of women’s issues.
GTF 2024 also emphasises community engagement with initiatives like the Artist-in-Residence programme, which will have artists creating works inspired by their interactions with the local community. The festival will also present “Pengalaman Prangin,” a speculative performance exploring George Town’s cultural and historical narratives. In addition, as one of the key missions of GTF 2024 is to cultivate Malaysia’s arts and culture by supporting the creation of local works and stimulating fresh ideas, look out for programs such as “Yam Seng Lah!,” “Journal of Her House,” and the “Young Arts Programme”, all curated to nurture emerging artists and their creativity.
The festival also announced its key community engagement programmes. In the pre-festival period, the Artist-in-Residence Programme will see selected artists immersing themselves in the heart of George Town and interacting with the community. They will create works inspired by their interpretations of the city, which will join the diverse lineup at the festival. A Community Outreach Programme will also bring the arts to the doorsteps of local communities like Taman Sri Janggus in Machang Bubuk and Bukit Tambun.
With so many collaborations and features in place, GTF 2024 is bigger and more vibrant than ever before, as it deepens international and regional ties, connects audiences to the city, and brings the community even closer. Come see George Town in a new light, and discover all the charming nooks and crannies of the city that make it so unique, as you immerse yourself in the here and now, only at GTF 2024.
George Town Festival 2024 runs from 19th to 28th July 2024. For more information, visit georgetownfestival.com or follow George Town Festival on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
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