Better than good
The annual BookFest@Malaysia returns in its 13th year with more to offer.
“AWESOME and More” sounds big, bold and celebratory – and that is exactly the kind of spirit that the people behind BookFest@Malaysia seek to capture in its 13th edition.
BookFest@Malaysia, the country’s largest trilingual book exposition, has much to shout about this time, with several milestones to its name.
BookFest@Malaysia has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception in 2006 and was certified by the Malaysia Book of Records in 2016 as the country’s largest trilingual exposition, says Lim Lee Ngoh, executive director of Popular Book Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the event’s organisers.
“We have not rested on our laurels but have continuously explored potential areas for enhancement. At Popular, we believe that nobody should ever settle for anything less than the best; why bother with ‘good’ when one can be ‘awesome and more’, in terms of quality of life?”
She adds that the “Awesome and More” theme is timely and apt, as it reflects the objective of BookFest@ Malaysia in promoting a trendy, healthy and educational lifestyle to Malaysians.
When BookFest@Malaysia kicked off its inaugural edition in 2006, it was with a modest 9,290sq m exhibition space at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
This year, the nine-day fair will occupy a whopping 14,864sq m, with an all-new Digital Pavilion to boot. The new addition will feature the latest gadgets and IT items, electronics and electrical gadgets, and appliances.
Lim notes that quality of life, in this context, encompasses education and knowledge as well, two important elements in nation-building efforts that cannot be disregarded.
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. Just as exercise strengthens the body, reading strengthens the mind. To quote Mark Twain, ‘A person who won’t read has no real advantage over one who can’t read’,” she says.
Remaining true to this sentiment as well as the fair’s foundational purpose, there will be many books, to put it mildly! This year, BookFest@Malaysia will host 775 booths comprising publishing houses and distributors from across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as North America, Oceania and Europe.
Besides the brand-new Digital Pavilion, the usual suspects – the pavilions offering English, Chinese and Malay titles, as well as the Lifestyle Pavilion – make a return this year.
BookFest aims to serve as a platform that provides visitors with quality reading material, and more. Besides books, it offers IT gadgets, stationery, titbits – and now, also electronics and houseware items.
“Faithful visitors to the previous editions might notice the addition of products such as toys and games, and with good reason too! These are intended to stimulate and augment the learning process that takes place exponentially in children, so that they may grow up learned and cultured,” Lim explains.
Still, despite all the whistles and bells, the overall goal of BookFest@ Malaysia has never wavered: “It serves as the platform to inculcate the love of reading and books, among Malaysians of all walks of life,” she says.
BookFest is more than just a place to buy books, as there are also numerous events and activities that visitors can partake in. There are competitions, meet-and-greet sessions and cooking demonstrations.
Other highlights include the TEDxKL-supported “Unlimited Inspiration” Forum, talks and movie screenings.
Book lovers can also enjoy daily specials on more than 450 products, with a selection of items tagged at extra low prices each day. (Visit the event’s Facebook page, facebook. com/BookFestMalaysia, to check out daily offers.)
“The BookFest is a place where publishers, distributors and writers can converge and elevate the local literary industry to greater heights. One shining example, of course, is the Popular-The Star Readers’ Choice Awards, which honours local writers,” she says.
Lim emphasises that it is not enough to just read; we need to read more, and to read on.
“It is only by reading that we amass the knowledge we require to advance as individuals and as a society. Reading leads to knowledge, which in turn breeds wisdom,” she concludes.
BookFest@Malaysia 2018 will be on daily, from 10am to 10pm, from June 9 to 17, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Admission is with purchase of the BookFest catalogue at RM2.50 per entry or RM10 for multiple entries over the nine days. Catalogues are available at all Popular and Harris bookstore outlets nationwide and also at the event’s entrance. Entrance is free for students 18 years old and below and for senior citizens aged 60 and above. For more information, visit facebook.com/ BookFestMalaysia.
Star Media Group Bhd is a media partner of BookFest@Malaysia 2018.