Bintulu hosts some 300 poets at HPN 2018
BINTULU: Some 300 poets from Malaysia and other Asean countries are taking part in the 20th National Poetry Day (HPN) 2018 being held here.
Officiating at the event held at Kemena Plaza Hotel yesterday, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg hoped the participants would be inspired by the local cultures and environment to produce quality literatures for the future generations.
His text of speech was read by Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
The HPN 2018 themed ‘Integriti Pemacu Pembentukan Negara Bangsa’ was jointly organised by the Sarawak government, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and Gabungan Persatuan Penulis Nasional Malaysia (Gapena). This is the second time Sarawak is hosting the national-level event after the first one in June 2, 1984 which was held in Sematan near Lundu.
Abang Johari thanked Gapena and DBP for choosing Bintulu as the second location in Sarawak for this prestigeous event and urged participants to learn more about the local environment and communities which could inspire them in creating new literary pieces.
He welcomed Gapena to organise more activities in Sarawak such as the ‘Dialog Teluk’ which was held in Lawas last year.
He assured that the Sarawak government would provide the necessary support if Gapena and DPB wanted to host the activity in other places such as Sibu, Sri Aman or Mukah in the future.
Meanwhile, Fatimah congratulated DBP for its effort in promoting the local culture by publishing the Bintulu language dictionary.
“The selection of Bintulu as a host for this year’s National Poetry Day is very appropriate as there are many local cultures and folklores that can be further promoted through your literary works.
“These unique folklores contribute to the cultural development in Bintulu and can foster closer rapport among the diverse people of Sarawak.”
During the event, Datu Dr Adi Badiozaman Tuah and Zainal Abidin Suhaili were awarded the Gapena Literary Award 2018.
Also present at the event were Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Bintulu Resident Jack Aman Luat, DBP deputy director general Datuk Abang Sallehuddin Abang Shokeran and Gapena chief 1 Datuk Zainal Abidin Borhan.