In a world ruled by demagogues, we are reminded of a time when the immortals - the gods - ruled, where myth and legends pervaded our understanding of the world and the cosmos, where human beings were human and the gods immortal. Monsters lived in their midst and it was one of the reasons the gods went to war, to wage battle against fearsome beasts who threatened all manner of destruction. But there were also men who became monsters, who turned against all that was good and all that was human. ‘Monsters & (Im)Mortals’ looks at light and dark; of genius and madness, reality and fantasy, the element of the shadow in literature and of divine tragedy.

ABOUT THE GEORGE TOWN LITERARY FESTIVAL

The George Town Literary Festival is the largest international literary festival in Malaysia which is supported and funded by the State Government of Penang. Held annually in the World UNESCO Heritage site of George Town, the GTLF is one of the last bastions of free speech in Malaysia and has a specific focus on world literature. The festival invites local and international writers, poets and performers to engage in topics and themes that are crucial to the world we live in. The GTLF believes in the power of free speech and expression, and is committed to being one of the most urgent, vital and provocative literary festivals in the region.

• The two-day event will bring local communities and creative talents from various sectors together to raise awareness of the city’s key ecosystems and showcase the possibilities of life in Iskandar Puteri and Malaysia
• Festival program will highlight uncommon experiences and outdoor activities in addition to live music, performance art, career opportunities and creative workshops from notable Malaysians

ISKANDAR PUTERI, JOHOR, 22 July 2017 – UEM Sunrise Berhad, one of Malaysia’s leading property developers and master developer of Iskandar Puteri, is organising Iskarnival Kool from 25 to 26 November 2017, marking the sixth installation of Iskarnival since the festival began in 2013.

Iskarnival Kool is a festival which heralds the arrival of Iskandar Puteri as a hub for innovation and creativity while celebrating the bold and beloved in Malaysian lifestyle and culture. Curated to commemorate Iskandar Puteri’s newly-acquired city status, Iskarnival Kool provides local initiatives and talents a platform to showcase and share ideas on better living and community empowerment.

The two-day festival promises unique experiences, competitions, hands-on learning opportunities and diverse entertainment options for locals, tourists and families seeking quality time together. Across one weekend, Puteri Harbour will play host to creative workshops, treasure hunts, live music, outdoor and recreational activities, photo and video competitions, locally-grown foods and produce, skill-building opportunities, dialogues and workshops, art installations, poetry slams, numerous traditional and contemporary cultural performances, and many more. Talents to be featured at Iskarnival Kool include internationally-acclaimed singer-songwriter Yuna, legendary local diva Sheila Majid, community growers Johor Green, gourmet bazaar Taste of Tiffin, Johorean ska-punk outfit Plague of Happiness and tech and startup initiative Johor Startup. This will accompany outdoor activities such as flyboarding, giant board games and the Spartan Mini Race. There will also be a special Iskandar Puteri treasure hunt with RM77,000 in total cash prizes which will take place from 20 November to 3 December, in addition to social media photo and video competitions with RM27,000 worth of cash prizes.

Iskarnival Kool will see the most diverse and vibrant showcase of art, cuisine, technology and outdoor recreation held in Iskandar Puteri to date. With the involvement of over 848 local talents from across Malaysia of which at least 48% are Johorean, the festival will host movers and shakers from various industries, including music, visual art, food and beverage, technology, heritage, human resources and environmental preservation.

Iskarnival Kool will be partnering with Tiffin to present a series of games and a gourmet bazaar on the Puteri Harbour promenade. Tiffin’s program will boast some of the top food vendors from around the country as well as provide learning opportunities through free workshops and sharing sessions. Also on display will be vintage collectibles and rare knick-knacks from Johor Pickers, a creative tech showcase and market from Startup Johor, as well as gifts and souvenirs from local Johorean vendors.

Among bands confirmed to appear at the festival are acclaimed electronic musicians Enterprise, renown Johorean ska-punk outfit Plague of Happiness which recently completed their successful nationwide tour, contemporary Chinese rockers Mad August, traditional Indian music mixologists Pandavas Fusion, world music and percussion specialists Asiabeat, established multi-instrumentalist Steve Thornton, and Kota Tinggi pop/punk rockers  Classmates.

Cultural performances include a tri-nation poetry slam competition headed by Jamal Raslan under Poets Passport, contemporary and traditional dance from ASK Dance Company and Asia Duo Dance Company, a short operatic performance from KL City Opera Singers, and a showcase by Pertubuhan Gambus Johor. As a special treat, school students from SMK Taman Universiti will be performing covers of songs from around the world (including Yuna’s hits) on the angklung.

Visitors can look forward to three unique exhibitions which run throughout the festival. Johorean resident Tan Buck Khim will present recycled artwork made of used cans, bottles and other household items, giving visitors a glimpse of the richness of his imagination. Messages from Antarctica, a climate awareness campaign by the Sultan Mizan Antarctica Research Foundation, will additionally be transporting 49 penguin sculptures to Puteri Harbour to highlight and contextualise global warming for Malaysian audiences.

This year sees more outdoor activities which further utilises Puteri Harbour’s stunning waterfront. Activities such as kayaking, flyboarding and sailboat rides will be held throughout both days of the festival in Puteri Harbour, providing visitors a chance to get active on the Straits of Johor.

Held in Puteri Harbour, Iskarnival Kool marks the sixth festival held under the Iskarnival banner. It follows the trio of festivals held last year -- Iskarnival Kreatif, Iskarnival Naratif and Iskarnival Sama Sama -- to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Iskandar Malaysia.  Iskarnival Kool will take place a week prior to Iskarnival Aktif, a sports and fitness carnival organised by Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB).

Iskarnival Kool runs from 12:00pm - 11:00pm from 25 - 26 November 2017 at Puteri Harbour, Iskandar Puteri. Admission is free to all members of the public. No registration is required but registrants obtain a copy of the limited edition festival journal.