In Penang, celebrations of art, music and literature during November

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 22 — Penang will host a celebration of art, literature, music and culture with three consecutive festivals over a 10-day period this November.

Festivities will begin with the annual George Town Literary Festival from November 28 to 30, featuring 30 acclaimed writers such as Miguel Syjuco, Kassim Ahmad, Rehman Rashid, Rana Dasgupta and Sudeep Sen.

During the three-day festival with the theme “Capital”, writers will present their stories in prose, poetry, spoken word or film through lectures and workshops at the Whiteaways Arcade in George Town.

Penang group “Say it Like You Mean It” will also highlight local talents such as Ksatriya.

The literary festival will be followed by The In-Between Arts Festival, from December 1 to 3, which will celebrate “Spirit of Sportsmanship” this year.

The second festival aims to connect sports to the arts through a series of outdoor activities such as a badminton flash mob, drive-in movies, bicycle fun rides, musical performances and an “Artistic Expressions at Gardens” event at the Penang Botanic Gardens.

There will be free activities at the gardens between 5pm and 8pm during this festival.

Last but not least is the 11^th edition of the Penang Island Jazz Festival, which will be from December 4 to 7.

The main “Jazz by the beach” event this year, on December 6 and 7, will feature events such as Richard Bona Group, Carmen Souza, Crystal Bowersox, Laila Biali Trio, Monoswezi, CNIRBS, The Fresh Dixie Project, Jo Yeong Duk Trio, Jazzhats and Ray and many others.

There will also be events such as workshops, exhibitions, “Island Music Forum Sessions”, After Hours Jazz Jam, Creative Malaysia Fringe Stages and Sunrise @ TSG.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state is aiming to emphasise on arts, culture and music in its bid to make the Penang a more attractive tourist destination.

“This is why I organise a press conference to announce these festivals as we are committed into making Penang a cultural city,” he said after holding a press conference announcing the festivals at his office.

Find out more about the programmes of the three festivals at their respective websites: georgetownlitfest.com, facebook.com/ibafpenang and penangjazz.com.