Sarawak Book Fair returns in collab with Sarawak Authors Festival

by · Borneo Post Online
(From fourth left) Japri and Dr Sim show the event flyers joined by officials at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today. – Photo by Agnes Tugong

KUCHING (Oct 25): The Sarawak Book Fair, previously called the Kuching Book Fair, is returning for its third edition in collaboration with the Sarawak Authors Festival (SAF) 2024 this Oct 28 to Nov 3.

To take place at The Hills Shopping Mall here, the festival will feature 60 exhibitors and a dynamic programme of activities for visitors throughout its seven-day run.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian emphasised the importance of the book fair in fostering a culture of reading among the public.

“Our Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) is well-informed because he reads extensively. We too must read more to enhance our knowledge.

“With Sarawak on its way to becoming a developed state by 2030, we need to transform our people through education, and reading is essential to that,” he told a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.

Also present was Sarawak State Library CEO Japri Bujang Masli.

Organised by Sarawak State Library, the fair would be officiated by Dr Sim on Oct 30 at the exhibition venue.

This year’s event promises over 70 engaging activities, including the book fair, Authors Festival, free membership drive campaign, Special Needs Open Day, blood donation campaign, engaging talks, u-Pustaka Literacy sessions, Global Media and Information Literacy Week, author meet and greet sessions, hands-on experiences in the Makerspace, and more.

The fair aims to promote Sarawak’s book and publishing industry at national and international levels, provide a platform for local authors to collaborate with publishers, and showcase the publications and services of the Sarawak State Library.

Among the exhibitors would be Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak, Popular Book Co (M) Sdn Bhd, My Bookstore Sdn Bhd, Benzamine Book Center Sdn Bhd, Firdaus Press Publications, Penerbit USM, Buku Fixi Sdn Bhd, and Penerbit Mardi.

Also exhibiting would be Yayasan Sarawak, the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO), the Librarians Association of Malaysia, Sarawak Chapter (PPMKSAR), Agro Bank, and US Education among others.