Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival

Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival A celebration of reading for the distracted generation. Slow down, unplug and rediscover the joy of missing out & being fully present.

As the two-day Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026 comes to a close, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to e...
29/06/2026

As the two-day Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026 comes to a close, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this festival possible. If there were any shortcomings throughout the planning or during the event, we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding.

Our deepest thanks to our venue partners, GMBB and Zontiga.

To our co-organisers — Gerakbudaya, INXO Foundation, and WenXuan Bookstore — thank you for believing in this festival and bringing it to life together.

To our creative partners, Bo Qiang from An Art Think and Malaysian artist Alexdrina Chong, thank you for giving the festival its unique visual identity.

To our sponsors, Unknown Chapter and Purple Cane, thank you for your generous support.

To our supporting organisations — MABOPA, Malaysian Writers Society, Dream Factory, and Koukou Poetry — thank you for standing with us.

To the media partners who helped share our story — Sin Chew Daily, China Press, Interview Media, City+, The Star, BFM, Traxx FM, AFO FM, Tatler Malaysia, and Asam Podcast — thank you for helping us reach more readers.

To The Chill Project and our ticketing partner, CloudJoi, thank you for making this festival accessible to everyone.

To every bookseller who placed their trust in us, thank you.

To all our speakers and moderators, thank you for sharing your knowledge, stories, and conversations.

And to our incredible volunteers, thank you for your dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm. This festival would not have been possible without you.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and celebrated the joy of reading with us.

Until we meet again next year.

From organising committee team
Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026
Festival Membaca Kuala Lumpur
吉隆坡閱讀節

Announcing the KLRF 2026 English and Bahasa Melayu Poetry Showcase!Featuring poets from the local spoken word community ...
24/06/2026

Announcing the KLRF 2026 English and Bahasa Melayu Poetry Showcase!

Featuring poets from the local spoken word community as well as the local contemporary English poetry and Sastera Indie scenes, the KLRF 2026 Poetry Showcase presents 2 male poets and 2 female poets who bring their unique Malaysian voices to KLRF.

Hazelynn Rimbar
Khal
Wan Syafiqah
Raja Zhafir (poet and host) .zhafir

You are what you read, and come JOMO with us to witness how someone else‘s words can help you find your own voice.

The Grey Box, Level G
Sunday | 28.6.2026
2:00pm-3:00pm

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Announced programme:
📵 The Chill Project ticket selling (link in our bio)
📝 Poetry On The Spot (on-site payment)
🎤 Talks & Programmes (free)
🎤 Live Music Performances (free)
🌅 Book Walk Before Sunrise (free)
🌙 24-Hour Bookstore (free)
📚 Book Market (free)
✍️ Workshop (walk-in/pre-book)

More programmes to be announced soon.
🤫 Whisper Corner

Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026
27–28 June 2026
GMBB, Kuala Lumpur
11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

🇲🇾 KLRF 2026 BOOK MARKETMore than 30 booksellers, independent bookstores, publishers, and individual vendors will gather...
17/06/2026

🇲🇾 KLRF 2026 BOOK MARKET

More than 30 booksellers, independent bookstores, publishers, and individual vendors will gather at Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026.

Discover new and preloved books in Chinese, Malay, and English. Browse through independent publications, hidden gems, rare finds, and unexpected treasures waiting to be taken home.

Whether you're searching for your next great read or simply wandering among books, there's something here for every kind of reader.

Come explore, discover, and get lost among the shelves.

27.6.2026 - 28.6.2026
11:00am - 8:00pm
GMBB The Grey Box, Level G
Free admission

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Announced programme:
📵 The Chill Project ticket selling (link in our bio)
📝 Poetry On The Spot (on-site payment)
🎤 Talks & Programmes (free)
🎤 Live Music Performances (free)
🌅 Book Walk Before Sunrise (free)
🌙 24-Hour Bookstore (free)
📚 Book Market (free)

More programmes to be announced soon.
🤫 Whisper Corner

Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026
27–28 June 2026
GMBB, Kuala Lumpur
11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

📚 Programme Update: New Speakers Added!We're delighted to announce that author Anna Tan will be joining Our Self/Indie-P...
17/06/2026

📚 Programme Update: New Speakers Added!

We're delighted to announce that author Anna Tan will be joining Our Self/Indie-Publishing Journey as a featured panellist, while acclaimed novelist Chuah Guat Eng will moderate the conversation.

Saturday | 27.6.2026
2:00pm-4:00pm
The Grey Box, Level G
Free admission
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Announced programme:
📵 The Chill Project ticket selling (link in our bio)
📝 Poetry On The Spot (on-site payment)
🎤 Talks & Programmes (free)
🎤 Live Music Performances (free)
🌅 Book Walk Before Sunrise (free)
🌙 24-Hour Bookstore (free)

More programmes to be announced soon.
📚 Book Market
🤫 Whisper Corner

Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026
27–28 June 2026
GMBB, Kuala Lumpur
11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

🇲🇾 KLRF 2026 Talks & ProgrammesCrafting Thriller and Making a 13-Year Literary ComebackJoin us for a book chat with Khai...
15/06/2026

🇲🇾 KLRF 2026 Talks & Programmes

Crafting Thriller and Making a 13-Year Literary Comeback

Join us for a book chat with Khairulnizam as he discusses the launch of his latest novel and his official return to the writing scene after a 13-year hiatus. This session will explore his journey as an author, his structured approach to developing complex plots, and the inspiration that finally brought him back to the literary world.

Khairulnizam Bakeri is an award-winning digital media practitioner and thriller author. He is best known for his early thrillers, Pecah (2011), which was later adapted into a feature film, and Mengejar Ajal (2013). His latest novel, Intai, is a high-stakes psychological thriller about a doctor who uses a deadly pandemic variant to kill her abusive husband, only for the "perfect murder" to be secretly recorded by an obsessed stalker, unravelling a dark web of secrets and betrayals rooted deep in their university days.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Announced programme:
📵 The Chill Project ticket selling (link in our bio)
📝 Poetry On The Spot (on-site payment)
🎤 Talks & Programmes (free)
🎤 Live Music Performances (free)
🌅 Book Walk Before Sunrise (free)
🌙 24-Hour Bookstore (free)

More programmes to be announced soon.
📚 Book Market
🤫 Whisper Corner

Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026
27–28 June 2026
GMBB, Kuala Lumpur
11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026This year, Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026 brings together writers, publishers, ...
14/06/2026

🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026

This year, Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026 brings together writers, publishers, translators, booksellers, poets, and readers for more than 20 talks and programmes — and they're all free to attend.

📚 Author Talks
💬 Industry Dialogues
📖 Book Clubs
🎙️ Open Mic Sessions
📝 Poetry Events
🌙 24-Hour Bookstore
🎤 Live Music Performances
🌅 Book Walk Before Sunrise

Whether you're a lifelong reader or simply curious about books, you're welcome to join us.

No registration fees.
No programme tickets.
Just show up and be part of the conversation.

*All talks and programmes are free of charge. The Chill Project is the only ticketed experience within the festival.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Announced programme:
📵 The Chill Project ticket selling (link in our bio)
📝 Poetry On The Spot (on-site payment)
🎤 Talks & Programmes (free)
🎤 Live Music Performances (free)
🌅 Book Walk Before Sunrise (free)
🌙 24-Hour Bookstore (free)

More programmes to be announced soon.
📚 Book Market
🤫 Whisper Corner

Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026
27–28 June 2026
GMBB, Kuala Lumpur
11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

🇲🇾 KLRF 2026 🌙 24-HOUR BOOKSTOREWhat happens when a bookstore stays awake through the night?For one special weekend, Boo...
13/06/2026

🇲🇾 KLRF 2026

🌙 24-HOUR BOOKSTORE

What happens when a bookstore stays awake through the night?

For one special weekend, BooKu and Zontiga will open their doors for 24 hours — inviting readers to experience a different rhythm of reading and being together.

📚 Late-night reading sessions
🎵 Live music performances
🎬 Movie night
🌅 Book Walk Before Sunrise

Come for an hour, stay for the night, or greet the morning with us.

Because some stories are best experienced after dark.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Announced programme:
📵 The Chill Project ticket selling (link in our bio)
📝 Poetry On The Spot (on-site payment)
🎤 Talks & Programmes (free)
🎤 Live Music Performances (free)
🌅 Book Walk Before Sunrise (free)
🌙 24-Hour Bookstore (free)

More programmes to be announced soon.
📚 Book Market
🤫 Whisper Corner

Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026
27–28 June 2026
GMBB, Kuala Lumpur
11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

🇲🇾 KLRF 2026 Book Walk Before SunriseBring a book and join us for a slow walk from darkness into daylight.No destination...
13/06/2026

🇲🇾 KLRF 2026 Book Walk Before Sunrise

Bring a book and join us for a slow walk from darkness into daylight.

No destination.
No agenda.
No rush.

Just a group of readers walking together through the quiet streets of Kuala Lumpur as the city slowly wakes up.

A simple reminder that sometimes the most meaningful journeys are not about getting somewhere, but about paying attention to the present moment.

Route:
GMBB > Central Market > River of Life > Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad > GMBB

Sunday | 28.6.2026
Gather Time: 6:00am
Time: 6:30am-7:00am
Venue: Gather at GMBB Main Entrance
RSVP via link in bio!

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Announced programme:
📵 The Chill Project ticket selling (link in our bio)
📝 Poetry On The Spot (on-site payment)
🎤 Talks & Programmes (free)
🎤 Live Music Performances (free)
🌅 Book Walk Before Sunrise (free)

More programmes to be announced soon.
📚 Book Market
✍️ Workshops
🌙 24-Hour Bookstore
🤫 Whisper Corner

Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026
27–28 June 2026
GMBB, Kuala Lumpur
11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

🇲🇾 KLRF 2026 Movie NightMovie Night 深夜电影播映 1——《浅田家!THE ASADAS》A heartfelt film celebrating photography, family, and the ...
13/06/2026

🇲🇾 KLRF 2026 Movie Night

Movie Night 深夜电影播映 1——《浅田家!THE ASADAS》

A heartfelt film celebrating photography, family, and the power of images to preserve memories and shape the way we remember our lives.

The Asadas《浅田家! 》是一部由Ryota Nakano 执导、改编自日本摄影师浅田政志真实摄影作品的日本电影。

电影讲述热爱摄影的浅田政志,与家人一起拍摄各种充满创意与幽默感的家庭合照。他们会扮演不同职业与角色,例如消防员、黑帮成员或赛车手,把平凡的家庭日常转化成充满想象力的摄影作品。在轻松温暖的氛围之中,电影也细腻地探讨了家庭关系、记忆,以及摄影如何保存人与人之间的情感。

随着故事发展,2011年日本东北大地震成为电影的重要转折点。浅田开始透过摄影帮助灾民寻找遗失的照片与回忆,让摄影不只是艺术创作,也成为治愈与连接情感的媒介。

《浅田家! 》以温柔幽默的方式,呈现家庭、摄影与记忆之间的关系,是一部既感人又充满人情味的作品。

Movie Night 深夜电影播映 2——《Minamata》

A powerful and deeply human story about photography, truth, and social justice — reminding us that images can do more than document reality; they can give voice, preserve dignity, and move the world to pay attention.

Minamata《水俣》是一部由 Andrew Levitas 执导的剧情电影,改编自真实历史事件与摄影记者尤金·史密斯(W. Eugene Smith)的纪实摄影作品。

电影背景设定于1970年代的日本水俣市,讲述长期受到公司工业废水污染影响,当地居民因汞中毒而患上严重疾病,即后来被称为“水俣病”的公害事件。陷入人生低潮的摄影记者尤金·史密斯受邀前往当地,透过摄影记录受害者的生活与抗争,并试图将真相传播到国际社会。

电影不仅关注环境污染与企业责任问题,也深入探讨摄影作为纪录工具的力量。尤金·史密斯透过镜头,让原本被忽视的人们重新被世界看见,呈现出摄影如何成为社会运动与历史记忆的重要媒介。

《水俣》结合纪实影像美学与人文关怀,是一部关于摄影、新闻伦理、人性与社会正义的电影。

Saturday-Sunday | 27-28.6.2026
1st Movie 9:00pm
2nd Movie 12:00am
Zontiga KL, Level 2 GMBB

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Announced programme:
📵 The Chill Project ticket selling (link in our bio)
📝 Poetry On The Spot (on-site payment)
🎤 Talks & Programmes (free)
🎤 Live Music Performances (free)

More programmes to be announced soon.
📚 Book Market
✍️ Workshops
🌙 24-Hour Bookstore
🤫 Whisper Corner
🌅 Book Walk Before Sunrise

Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026
27–28 June 2026
GMBB, Kuala Lumpur
11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

🇲🇾 KLRF 2026 Talks & Programmes The KLRF 2026 Poetry Showcase & Poetry Open MicThe KLRF 2026 Poetry ShowcaseA poetry sho...
13/06/2026

🇲🇾 KLRF 2026 Talks & Programmes

The KLRF 2026 Poetry Showcase & Poetry Open Mic

The KLRF 2026 Poetry Showcase
A poetry showcase featuring poets from the local independent Malay, English spoken word, and Mandarin poetry scene. Take your seat and listen to some of the most thoughtful and sensitive voices from our local independent poetry scene!

The KLRF Poetry Open Mic (Categories: Malay, English, Chinese)
A poetry open mic stage featuring performances from the public.

2026年吉隆坡阅读节诗歌展演专场汇集了用马来语、英语、华语创作的本地独立诗人,呈现了富有表达能量、思辨性与敏锐度的诗人之声。
同时设有诗歌 Open Mic 麦环节,以马来语、英语或华语进行现场朗诵。

Sunday | 28.6.2026
2:00pm
GMBB The Grey Box, Level G

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
Announced programme:
📵 The Chill Project ticket selling (link in our bio)
📝 Poetry On The Spot (on-site payment)
🎤 Talks & Programmes (free)

More programmes to be announced soon.
📚 Book Market
✍️ Workshops
🌙 24-Hour Bookstore
🤫 Whisper Corner
🌅 Book Walk Before Sunrise
🎤 Live Music Performances

Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival 2026
27–28 June 2026
GMBB, Kuala Lumpur
11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Address

GM-3-43a, GMBB, 2, Jalan Robertson
Kuala Lumpur
50150

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Kuala Lumpur Reading Festival posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category