Brunei's Largest Book Fair Set
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Language and Literature Bureau (DBP), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports is set to organise the 2005 Book Fair in conjunction with the 21st National Day celebration to cultivate a reading culture towards a highly knowledgeable society.

Awg Hidop Hj Md Zin, the organising co-secretary of the fair, said the exhibition will take place from February 26 until March 7 at the Indoor Stadium, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex in Berakas.

Open from 8.30 am to 10 pm daily except Friday, the fair is expected to be visited by thousands of book lovers including students. On Friday, it will open from 8.30 to 11.30 am and 2.30 pm to 10 pm.

Dubbed the largest gathering of local and regional book dealers, distributors, publishers, vendors and IT establishments, the fair is meant to cater the reading needs of book enthusiasts, students and the general public.

The fair is also meant to increase greater appreciation of books where some seventy booths will be available at the fair.

"Apart from the fair itself, the event also aims to bring together e-learning providers to enable people not only to appreciate books but also the state-of-the-art teaching and learning aids such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education," said the organising co-secretary.

At the fair, the DBP is also expected to launch its latest publications, providing huge discounts on its current stock and offering free gifts with book purchases.

"The book fair is a great opportunity for exhibitors to promote their latest publications and products. It is also a better way for them to advertise their companies," he said.

Awg Hidop added, "Over the years, our book fair has grown to become an acknowledged regional buyer-seller meeting ground for the consumer books and ICT segments.

The exhibition has grown in stature, size and visitor turnout ever since it began, in line with the growth of the local book market."

He added there will be side events at the fair such as cultural dances, poem and syair recitals, quiz, word formation, jawi reading and writing competition for non-Malays and a mind test.

"Games such as Treasure Hunt, Memory Test, Acting Test, News Reading Test and Gambus Playing may also be organised," said Awg Hidop.

"For children, drawing and colouring competitions for those in the age of 5 to 6 years, 7 to 9 years and 10 to 12 years may also be staged," he said.

He said serious activities such as talks on books, drawing workshop, poem reading workshop, a show by the Kelab Muda Mudi, and theatre plays by university students are also on the cards.

DBP is currently holding a carnival sale on books and magazines published by the department from Feb 8 to 19 at the Balai Sarmayuda, DBP Berakas to collect funds for the tsunami victims. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News