A book festival like no other
BookFest@Malaysia is back with more exciting activities for everyone.
WHEN something has been going on for more than a decade and is still met with as much interest and enthusiasm as BookFest@ Malaysia, it is not difficult to imagine that consistency and continuity play a role in its success.
This year’s theme does just that, expanding on last year’s “Read More Malaysia” and taking it a step further with much aplomb.
“Read More, Malaysia ... Embrace The World” explores the idea that the more we read, the more we learn.
Armed with newfound knowledge and a better understanding of whatever you set your heart on, this is when horizons broaden and new paths are charted. This is what it takes to make great things happen.
“In everyday conversation, we say the world is smaller these days. But in reality, it is big enough and it would be quite impossible to travel to every corner and explore everything we want. However, we can do that through books,” says Helen Goh, senior special projects manager of Popular Malaysia.
“There are all these mysteries and adventures that we have yet to discover, but by reading more, all these are unveiled to us. And when this happens, we embrace the whole world. That is the idea behind the theme this year,” she explains.
“Each year, we treat the BookFest as a brand new event. We go into it with passion and a sense of responsibility to explore and create new and interesting content. There will always be new releases, new ventures, new collaborations with partners and exhibitors,” says Goh.
Popular is determined that BookFest@ Malaysia, now in its 12th year, delivers on its promise to help instill a love of reading in children and adults alike, as well as give back to readers who have been an important part of their journey.
“We believe that inculcating a love for reading should start from a young age, so as they grow up, they will always have a book with them,” says Goh.
BookFest@Malaysia is also focusing on being even more rewarding this year. “In
making books more affordable, we are able to give back to our loyal customers, to show them that they are still able to buy the books they want,” Goh explains.
BookFest@Malaysia is more than just a place to browse and buy books.
“It is a book festival, a platform for interaction. And that’s the reason why we have a lot of different activities, to bring books and everything revolving around books to life, to offer more interaction between author and reader,” she says.
Unsurprisingly then, this year sees BookFest@Malaysia’s well-loved staples like the children’s colouring competition, author appearances, talks and writing workshops included in the line-up.
There are also new and exciting activities like contests, activities for children to uncover new wonders and tap into their imagination, and a literature and film festival.
“It is our responsibility to keep BookFest@ Malaysia going and to present it in such a way that it suits all readers. The impact it has made is amazing; there is the anticipation – it is something everyone can look forward to every year – and the expectation that they will find good reads here,” she says.
“With a total area of 12,356 sq m dedicated to BookFest@Malaysia, it is a place you can lose yourself in not just for a few hours, but for many days,” Goh concludes.
Here is a look at some of the highlights for this year’s BookFest@Malaysia.
Writing workshop: horror stories
This year’s writing workshop dives into the horror genre. Given the popularity of horror stories in this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards nominees, it does seem a fitting choice as there is a big fan base for tales that scare you silly.
In this two-day workshop, Robert Raymer, Kris Williamson, Julya Oui, Eeleen Lee and Megat Ishak will discuss, over six separate sessions, how to generate story ideas, story settings and openings, character development, creating an engaging climax and incorporating a twist ending. Rewriting and self-editing will also be covered, as well as a quick look at understanding the market and the business of publishing.
Workshop fee: RM80. Date and time: June 26-27, 10.30am-5pm.
Tickets can be purchased at selected Popular outlets.
Reserve your seats at bit.ly/bfmww17.
Win-Win Contest
The Win-Win Contest works this way: purchase a Win-Win notebook at any Popular/Harris outlet to obtain the entry form, answer the question on it, and submit the form to any Popular/Harris outlet before June 18. Entries will be shortlisted and the Win-Win Contest Live Winner Selection will be held on July 2, 11am, at BookFest@ Malaysia. There will be five grand prizes worth RM1,000 each, and 10 consolation prizes worth RM500 each. Make sure to mark the date: winners absent from the draw will be disqualified.
Hope For Reading CSR Project
Proceeds from the Hope For Reading limited edition bookmarks (RM10 per pack of five) featuring endangered fauna, and the eco-friendly BookFest Foldable Non-Woven Bag (RM5.99), will go towards providing the underprivileged with access to quality education and reading material. This project is organised by Popular and spearheaded by Sin Chew Daily.
Children Colouring Competition
Calling all children from ages five to 12! The colouring competition at BookFest@ Malaysia is back again, with over RM6,000 worth of prizes up for grabs. Show off your colouring skills with oil pastels or watercolour pencils on June 30 at The Stage@Hall 5, and stand to walk away with some amazing prizes.
The registration form for the “Read More, Malaysia ... Embrace The World” Children Colouring Competition is available at selected Popular/Harris outlets for RM8 before June 16. Participants will receive a goodie bag worth RM20 at the end of the colouring session.
Call 03-9179 6146 (KC) for enquiries or visit bit.ly/trbfmcc17.
BookFest@Malaysia 2017 will be on daily, from 10am to 10pm, from June 24 to July 2 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 will also be sold at the event’s entrance. Entrance is free for students who are 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 2017.