KUCHING: The Sarawak Book Fair 2024 aims to create a vibrant space for both aspiring and established authors to connect with the community and share their literary works.
The event, which was previously known as the Kuching Bookfair, is making its triumphant return for its third edition in collaboration with the Sarawak Authors Festival (SAF).
Scheduled from Oct 28 to Nov 3 at The Hills, Kuching, this year’s Sarawak Book Fair & Authors Festival aims to showcase 60 exhibitors and a diverse range of activities to fellow attendees.
Many attendees shared their excitement about the event and the opportunities it offers, while writers expressed their enthusiastic thoughts on the festival.
VAN CARSTEN MICHAEL JUNGEY, 23
Student
Ah, the book fair! For a book lover like me, this event is a dream come true. It’s the perfect chance for talented writers to share their stories, and for us readers to explore an amazing variety of new books just waiting to be discovered. As a big fan of fantasy容specially the magical world of Harry Potter悠 love stories that take me on thrilling adventures. I enjoy books that pull me in, and I couldn稚 be more excited to be here and get to meet inspirational authors that I never knew before, which is an eye-opening experience.
TARMIMI YUSSOFF, 45
Civil servant
This morning, I took the lift and heard about a book sale happening. In terms of publicity, this bookfair should have been promoted more widely, especially in schools. At the earlier session here, there was a briefing by the organiser, but only a couple of people attended, so the turnout hasn’t been very strong. In my opinion, this is such a great event and promoting it at the school level, whether secondary or primary, might encourage more participation. The event has a lot to offer students, not just at the school level but also university students. And it’s not only about buying books, it’s a gateway to expanding our horizons, introducing us to a wealth of local talent and compelling voices that deserve to be celebrated and shared.
AARON IGNATIUS, 24
Barber
This book fair and author festival offer incredible benefits, especially for students. It’s a fantastic opportunity to buy books and access valuable resources, all in one place. Events like this often provide books at discounted prices, making it easier for everyone to find something they love. So far, this is by far the most engaging book event we’ve attended and there’s such a wide variety, from study guides and textbooks to novels, comics, picture books, dictionaries, and much more. We hope to see more events like this in the future, perhaps even next year, and that they continue to grow and improve!
AHMAD FAIZAL OSMAN @ CIKGU EMMET, 55
Teacher, author of the book Kemaya Hari Lima, and owner of the FB Page Cikgu Emmet Menulis.
Events like this are great and should be developed over time. They can become annual events because they positively impact visitors by raising awareness and increasing interest. These events also benefit the book industry, helping publishers and authors build community and connect with their readers. I hope the Sarawak Book Festival becomes an annual event, like our regatta and food festivals. A book festival is important because it helps enhance knowledge. I believe the State Library and Dewan Bahasa Pustaka Sarawak can work with publishers and independent authors to organize these events each year. This will also attract tourists. If we have a Sarawak International Book Fair one day, we could welcome visitors from Kalimantan and nearby Singapore, which would be very encouraging. Some book fairs focus more on commercial interests, but this event is organised by the government and supported by the State Library. It’s about social responsibility rather than just making money. The goal is to help people find knowledge, buy books, and support emerging authors. This is positive because books can promote Sarawak as well. We promote Sarawak through books, and the Book Festival also highlights our culture and values. This is an opportunity we must take advantage of.
BEB SABARIAH, 75
Short story writer
The book fair is incredibly fortunate because it provides an opportunity for writers like me to showcase and sell our books. It’s a fantastic platform that allows us to connect with our audience and share our passion for literature. Therefore, the people of Sarawak, especially those in Kuching, are truly lucky to have the chance to visit and find the books they need in such an amazing venue. This place is perfectly suited for fostering a love of reading and community engagement, creating a vibrant atmosphere where stories come to life and connections are made.
DR LOJI ROJI SAIBI, 75
Writer
For me, as a writer and a social activist, events like this are very beneficial. They are not only for groups of writers or book enthusiasts, but importantly, they raise public awareness that books are incredibly valuable. If we look at the great authors in the world, they often say that books are treasures that, if possible, should not be overlooked because they are essential for the development of society. A world without books, to me, is like a tree that bears no fruit or is merely a stump because books can not only be friends but, more importantly, they can develop a person’s mind. Those who read a lot of books are more complete individuals compared to those who do not. Therefore, I hope the younger generation continues to appreciate them as well.
